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Arizona Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (AZ FMNP) is administered by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Nutrition Services in collaboration with the Association of Arizona Food Banks and the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. Funding for the project is provided by the Arizona State Legislature. Supporting partners to the program include the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Arizona Department of Economic Security, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and farmers' markets in Arizona.

What is AZ FMNP?
AZ FMNP is a program to increase fruit and vegetable intake for women and children participating in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). WIC participants from both the Arizona WIC Program and the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) WIC program will receive booklets of checks. Through AZ FMNP clients will be able to purchase $30 of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at Approved Farmers' Markets each year. These direct purchases of locally grown fruits and vegetables increase the growers' share of the food dollar, keep more of the consumer dollar in local communities, and help to strengthen farmers' markets.

What is an approved farmers' market?
An Approved Farmers' Market has a signed agreement with AZ FMNP to participate in the program. Approved markets must:

• Be located near where WIC Nutrition Program clients live.
• Be open for a minimum of four hours on at least one day a week.
• Provide an on-site manager during market hours.
• Have established market rules that include limits on re-sale of fresh produce, address health/sanitation issues and criteria for participation.
• Include enough Authorized Growers participating in the market each week to meet the demand of WIC Nutrition Program clients.
• Provide a list of Authorized Growers participating in the Approved Market.
• Provide and/or promote nutrition education utilizing Arizona Grown and 5 a Day for Better Health messages.
• Assist with monitoring of Authorized Growers during scheduled market hours.
• Be familiar with AZ FMNP rules and procedures in order to assist Authorized Growers in following AZ FMNP guidelines.
• Be monitored by the Arizona Department of Health Services or its representatives for compliance with program guidelines.
• Allow only Authorized Growers to accept AZ FMNP checks.
• Provide information for AZ FMNP reports as requested. Ensure that all AZ FMNP shoppers receive the same courtesies offered to other customers.
• Participate in annual training.

Who is an AZ FMNP Authorized Grower?
Any grower that raises vegetables and fruits in Arizona and sells the locally grown produce directly to consumers at an Approved Farmers' Market may apply to be an Authorized Grower in AZ FMNP. Authorized Growers will be able to sell fruits and vegetables at Approved Farmers' Markets and cash the AZ FMNP checks through regular banking processes. AZ FMNP Approved Markets will assist in recruiting Authorized Growers to participate in the program.

What is locally grown produce?
Authorized Growers may accept AZ FMNP checks only for locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. In AZ FMNP, locally grown means grown in the state of Arizona. AZ FMNP check redemption is limited to fresh fruits and vegetables produced by a grower on his/her farm. This may include land under lease or license, provided that the grower who leases the land carries out the production (cultivation, planting, harvesting, etc.). AZ FMNP checks may not be used for fruits and vegetables purchased by the grower for resale. 

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