La Crosse County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program encourages families to visit local farmers’ markets!

The La Crosse WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides a one-time food benefit per growing season to WIC families. Each family receives checks that are redeemed at local farmers’ markets from June through October. Approximately 40 La Crosse area farmers participate in this program.

The goals of the La Crosse WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) are:

• To provide WIC participants with checks to purchase locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs at farmers markets.
• To provide WIC participants with nutrition education and the resources to encourage the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.
• To increase the awareness and use of local Wisconsin farmers’ markets.

Abbie Loos, Nutrition Educator at La Crosse County says, “The Farmers Market Nutrition Program is such a great benefit for both our WIC families and for our farmers. Sometimes our families have never visited a local farmers’ market. The checks encourage them to try something new, and they benefit from having healthy produce to eat. The farmers’ see this benefit too.”

WIC participants have through October 31, 2016 to spend their Farmers’ Market checks. If you are interested in learning more about the La Crosse County WIC program or would like to know if you qualify, contact us at 608-785-9865 or apply online here.

To view a complete list of local farmers’ markets click here!