Until recently, low income families with young children using standard WIC coupons at participating grocery stores couldn’t purchase any fresh vegetables and fruits, except carrots.

But a special program makes local fruits and vegetables available to these women and children. At www.seacoast-growers.org, many of the participating farmers’ market farms include the phrase “FMNP Coupons Accepted.” FMNP stands for “Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program,” an extension of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Under the standard WIC program, supplemental food coupons are given at no cost to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding post-partum women and to infants and children up to 5 years old who are at nutritional risk. Thanks to the addition of the FMNP program in 1994 (FMNP began nationally in 1992), an allotment of fresh, local organic fruits and vegetables are available to New Hampshire WIC clientele during the summer months.

Wendy Jordan, of the Rockingham County WIC program, says the standard voucher is being improved to better comply with national FDA guidelines that promote fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle, but in the meantime, the FMNP coupons are a welcome addition.

“We find that, with a lot of younger mothers, it’s an education opportunity,” says Jordan. “We’re able to teach them about fresh fruits and vegetables that they wouldn’t normally buy on their own, and this ties into our promotion of a healthy lifestyle through healthy eating.” Jordan attended some of last week’s markets, setting up a WIC booth alongside the farmers and offering tips and techniques for preparing homemade baby food (see guidelines below).

The farmers report varying levels of revenue from sales of the coupons, depending on location. David Tedoldi of Valley Acres Farm in South Hampton says, “At the Dover market, I’ve seen as much as 85 percent of my sales come from the coupons.” Comparatively, Tedoldi estimates only about 5 percent of sales from coupons at the Portsmouth market. The process for redeeming the coupons is an easy one, says Tedoldi. The coupons are sent in quarterly (about every four or five weeks during the 20-week season), and the farmer receives a check for the full amount within two or three weeks. The program is funded through federal and state grants and is also available to eligible seniors. To find out if you are eligible to receive WIC/FMNP coupons, New Hampshire residents should call 1-800-942-4321 and Maine residents should call 1-800-437-9300.

• homemade baby food
fruits: Use soft fresh fruits or canned fruits. If using canned fruits, choose fruits that are packed in pear juice concentrate or have no added sugar. Wash and peel fruits. Puree or mash as needed. Examples: peaches, pears and ripe bananas. 
• vegetables: For infants and babies, vegetables should be cooked. Wash, peel and chop vegetables. Boil or steam for 10-20 minutes, until soft and mushy. Let cool. Puree or mash as needed. Examples: sweet potatoes, green beans and carrots.
• helpful hints: If you want to make a big batch, spoon unused portions into an ice cube tray, cover and freeze (homemade baby food will last in the refrigerator for two or three days). Depending on your baby’s appetite, 1-2 cubes equals a serving. Important: Babies don’t need added salt, sugar or spices!