The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public Health (DPH) is pleased to launch a pilot of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. The program will provide eligible WIC participants with an additional $30 benefit to buy fresh produce at local farmers’ markets, supporting families and the New Hampshire farming community.

Participants in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties who request FMNP benefits through their local WIC agency will receive a one-time $30 benefit for each eligible member of their household. WIC families can redeem their benefits between August 9 and October 31 to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs at the following participating farmers’ markets:

• Derry Homegrown Farm and Artisan Market: 1 West Broadway, Derry
• Nashua Farmers’ Market: 6 Hartshorn Avenue, Nashua
• Portsmouth Farmers’ Market: 1 Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth
• Salem Farmers’ Market: 77 Rockingham Park Boulevard, Salem

“We’re excited to launch the WIC Farmers’ Market Program and increase participants’ access to locally grown, nutritious food,” said Iain Watt, DPH Director. “This program builds on our existing efforts to fuel healthy child development and promote family nutrition while supporting the New Hampshire farmers who feed our communities.”

Participants interested in receiving farmers’ market benefits can request them at their next appointment with their local WIC agency. Families will be able to access their benefits through the WIC Shopper app.

New Hampshire WIC participants last received FMNP benefits in 2010. Funding for this pilot program was included in HB 2, which was signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte in June.

WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to community resources to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five. Women and children who are part of other programs, such as New Hampshire Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible for WIC. Granite Staters can check if they’re eligible for WIC and sign up using the pre-application portal.

To learn more about the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, visit dhhs.nh.gov/FMNP. To learn more about WIC and find your local WIC agency, visit dhhs.nh.gov/WIC.