Women, Infants, Children (WIC) and 
Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program

Oregon’s Farm Direct Nutrition Programs  connects WIC families and seniors with the freshest local produce around, and with the wonderful farmers who grow our food. During the Farm Direct Nutrition Program selling season, nutritionally at-risk families with young children and seniors will be able to spend their checks on locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, even cut herbs with authorized farmers at farm stands as well as farmers' markets. The 2008 Farm Direct Nutrition Program will run June 1 through October 31.  

In 2007, $1.1 million dollars went to local farmers whose produce fed nutritionally at-risk families and seniors. For the 2008 season, $1.04 million are allocated for the program. These programs are provided by the Oregon Department of Human Services in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Eligible Participants

To be eligible for the Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Farm Direct Nutrition Program, an individual must be a WIC client (babies under 6 months of age excluded) and also be receiving WIC services through a local WIC agency that is participating in the Farm Direct Nutrition Program.  

The local WIC agency provides classes which teach families how to shop, prepare and cook fresh fruits and vegetables when on a tight budget.  At the classes, families receive ten (10) $2 checks that can be used only at local farmers' markets and farm stands. These checks are also provided during one on one counseling.  

Families can learn more about the Oregon WIC Program by visiting www.ohs.state.or.us/publichealth/wic

To be eligiable for the Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program, seniors must who meet the following requirements. 

• 60 years or older 
• Enrolled in food stamps and/or MedicAID as of April 1, 2007. 
• Living at home or with family, not in a facility where meals are provided.  
• Monthly income does not exceed $1,149 for a single person or $1,541 for a couple. 

New starting 2007!  

USDA's new regulations now require eligible seniors to sign up to receive the checks. (In 2006, every eligible senior was mailed check automatically.) 

The state will send a bright yellow application to every eligible senior towards the end of April 2007.  Eligible seniors must return the bottom portion of the application to the state if they want to participate in Farm Direct.  If the bottom portion of the application is not returned, the state will not send the senior the Farm Direct checks.  Checks will be mailed to interested seniors starting in June through October 31, which is the last day that seniors may spend Farm Direct checks. For questions about Senior eligibility and check distribution, contact:  866-299-3562. 

More on Senior Coupon Distribution

Ineligible Foods  

• Imported foods such as tropical fruits

• Processed foods - milk,  jam, dried fruit, dried herbs, baked goods, cider, cheese

• Non-produce foods - eggs, raw nuts, fish, meats, honey.

• Non-food agricultural items - plants, seeds, cut flowers

• Non-food items - crafts, jewelry

Where Are Oregon's  Farmers' Markets and Farm Stands?

Oregon has 85 Oregon farmers' markets Farmers accepting checks will have a 2007 WIC/Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program sign. 

For participating Oregon farm stands, visit Oregon Department of Agriculture's website at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODA/ADMD/
farm_direct.shtml

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