Transcript Slide 1
From Farms to Families Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program and WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers Presenter: Maria Menor, Oregon WIC Program From Farms to Families Farm Direct Nutrition Program • Seasonal-summer (June 1st-Oct 31st) • Provides $4 checks to income-eligible Seniors and WIC participants Farm Direct Nutrition Program Eligibility • WIC woman, child or infant 6+ mos. • Eligible senior: • • • • At least 60 years of age Receiving SNAP or Medicaid on April 1 Not living in facility where meals are provided Monthly income < $1,226 for a single person and $1,655 for a couple • Insufficient funding to serve all eligible 2011 Farm Direct Nutrition Program WIC Farm Direct • 28,365 recipients • $20 benefit (5 $4 checks) Senior Farm Direct • 31,900 recipients • $32 benefit (8 $4 checks) WIC Farm Direct Distribution 2011 Senior notification letter 2011 Senior Response Card From Farms to Families …to Farms • 696 Farm Directauthorized farmers • $1.2 M in Farm Direct Nutrition Program sales WIC Program • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children • Developed to improve health outcomes Oregon WIC Facts • 115,000 women, infants, children/month • $8.6 million in potential sales from WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers to authorized farmers and grocery stores WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers • Oregon authorizes farmers as of 2010 • 62% of 2011 Farm Direct farmers also accept WIC • ¼ of WIC also receive Farm Direct checks • Year-round, monthly benefit WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers • Specific voucher denominations: • $5, $6, $10 • Different transaction, eligible foods than Farm Direct Nutrition Program The Collaboration Continues… • To secure funding • To increase redemption of WIC Fruit & Veggie voucher w/ farmers • To prepare for eWIC! Win-Win: Farmers & Markets gain: • Increased Sales • Expanded Customer Base Win-Win Seniors & WIC Families gain: • Access to great produce • Nutrition Education • An introduction to a new way of shopping For Additional Information • Oregon WIC Program: (877) 807-0889 • http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/index.shtml • Click on Farmer link • http://www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/ • Click on WIC/Senior FDNP link Thank you!