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WIC FMNP Program History

By zkanicka
  • Independent Department of Agriculture is established

    Independent Department of Agriculture is established

    On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln established the independent Department of Agriculture
  • The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is established

    The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is established

  • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is established by Congress

    The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is established by Congress

    The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children was created by a 1972 bill Senator Hubert Humphrey (D) of Minnesota introduced. It was then established by Congress in September 1972 under Public Law 92-433, section 17 to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

  • 3-year demonstration project of FMNP begins

    In September 1988, Congress authorized a 3-year demonstration project in 10 States with an initial funding level of $2 million.
  • The FMNP is established by Congress in 1992

    The FMNP is established by Congress in 1992

    The FMNP was established by Congress in 1992, to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers’ markets.

  • Conrey et al.

    Found that enhanced effectiveness of the program as measured by increased redemption rates in New York State was possible through a coordinated, collaborative initiative with activities at state and local levels including inter-agency collaboration, hiring of coordinating staff person to focus on the program, supporting capacity building at the local level, and making available high quality resources.

  • Kunkel et al.

    Found that farmers participating in the SFMNP in South Carolina reported positive opinions about the program for both seniors and themselves and expressed a desire for advance notice about the program to prepare for the next year’s crop.
  • Dollahite et al.

    Dollahite et al.

    Found that collaboration efforts tested in New York State which provided partners with the opportunity to work cooperatively and innovatively improved outcomes for both low-income participants and farmers.
  • Period: to

    In fiscal year 2010, 2.15 million WIC participants received FMNP benefits.

  • Period: to

    Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 reauthorizes FMNP

    The FMNP was reauthorized through 2015 in the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.
  • Period: to

    Most recently, Congress appropriated $19.96 million for the FMNP for fiscal year 2011.

  • NY Times article is published - "A More Balanced Farm Bill"

    NY Times article is published - "A More Balanced Farm Bill"

    NY Times Article An opinion piece published in the period leading up to the 2002 farm bill vote described how the FMNP gives poorer consumers access to fresh foods, puts cash in the hands of small fruit and vegetable farmers, strengthens the ties between country and city, and helps keep inner-city farmers' markets thriving.
  • Huffington Post Article- Octoberlicious

    Huffington Post Article- Octoberlicious

    Huffington Post Article Just last month of this year, an article titled Octoberlicious written by Linda Novick O'Keefe in the Huffington Post, explaining how “the FMNP Program is making fresh local food available to many of the needy.”