Oregon's Farm Direct  Nutrition Programs 

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.  

For the 2008 season, $1.04 million are allocated to 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. 

Who Qualifies for the FDNP? 

An Oregon FDNP farmer is a person who:

• farms on land that he owns, leases, rents, and/or sharecrops with other farmers in Oregon or bordering counties.  

• seeds, cultivates, and/or harvest fresh fruits, vegetables, and/or cut herbs in Oregon or a bordering county.

• sells to FDNP participants through the Oregon farm direct marketing channels of farmers' markets and/or farm stands. 

 Farmers will register directly with the State and deposit their FDNP checks directly into their bank accounts  more..... 

How Farmers Markets Register 
for the FDNP?

In March, the Market Farm Direct Nutrition Program Application Packet will be mailed to market managers.  The packet will include the application form, market agreement, and program guidelines

In mid-May, market managers will receive their approved Farmers’ Market Program Packet.  The packet will include:

• Copy of signed market agreement
• Comment forms to capture ways to improve the program
• Information for Market Vendors who want to sign up for the FDNP.  All vendor inquiries should be forwarded to Oregon Department of Agriculture at 503/872-6600. 
• Training Rules Form
• Postage Print Envelop
• Fact Sheets 

2007 FDNP Selling Season 

The 2007 season will start June 1^st and end October 31^st. Farmers will deposit the FDNP checks directly into their bank accounts. Last date to deposit/cash checks is November 30, 2007.

2007 FDNP WIC/Senior FDNP Checks 

Each eligible WIC FDNP participants will  receive ten (10) $2 checks for a total of $20 per season. Total 2007 WIC FDNP program will include 25,000 WIC participants. 

Each eligible FDNP Seniors who signs up for the check will receive ten (10) $3 checks, for a total of $30 per season. Senior coupon recipients may have a family member or a caregiver shop with their checks on their behalf. Total 2007 Senior FDNP program could include approximately 43,000 Seniors. 

Ineligible Foods

• Imported foods such as tropical fruits

• Processed foods - milk,  jam, dried fruit or 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

Questions, Comments, Suggestions 

Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program staff welcome feedback on the comment forms. Contact the following offices for additional information:

Local WIC Customer Service Offices: http://www.dhs.state.or.us/publichealth/wic/countyinfo.cfm

Farmers Market eligibility and 
WIC check distribution:
Maria Menor, Oregon FDNP Coordinator
Phone: 971-673-0056
Email:  maria.i.menor@state.or.us

Farmer eligibility: 
List of participating farmers. http://egov.oregon.gov/ODA/ADMD/farm_direct.shtml
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Phone:  503/872-6600

Senior eligibility and check distribution 
Department of Seniors & People w/ Disabilities:1-866-299-3562