Great news! The Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market has now been approved to take part in the federal Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) administered by the Washington State Department of Health. The FMNP vouchers allow seniors and WIC clients greater access to the healthy, locally grown fruit and veggies that our vendors offer.
This approval is something we’ve been seeking ever since the market launched mid-season in 2013, and a big thanks goes out to Catholic Charities Spokane and the Spokane Regional Health District for working so diligently on our behalf during the application process. Along with accepting EBT as payment, FMNP authorization is a big part of our mission to increase food access in Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood and Spokane at large.
To find out if you qualify for FMNP vouchers in Spokane, visit your local WIC office. This short FAQ blurb has a little more info.
General info on FMNP in Washington is here. Our fruit and veggie vendors who aren’t yet FMNP authorized are encouraged to follow that link and apply (it’s free!) for authorization to accept the vouchers.