The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture’s (DOA) Marketing Division received $77,000 in grant funding to develop the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) in the territory, according to a press release from Commissioner of Agriculture Carlos Robles.
WIC 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. Women, infants (over four months old) and children that have been certified to receive WIC program benefits or who are on a waiting list for WIC certification are eligible to participate in the WIC FMNP.
To commemorate and facilitate this program, the marketing division will promote farmers’ market events to provide WIC recipients and the community with an opportunity to access and purchase fresh, locally-grown food with FMNP coupons. A variety of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs may be purchased with FMNP coupons. Events will be held in both districts at the following locations.
St. Thomas Event: Farm to WIC Family Fun Day
Oct. 14, at Bordeaux Farmers’ Market from 1-5 p.m.
Entertainment: Ras Batch and other local artists will performance; pan round the neck, bouncy houses, face painting
Transportation: Safari to and from the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market. Pick up and drop off points: Pueblo, Long Bay beginning at noon (every hour) and Nisky Center beginning from 12:30 p.m. (every hour). Last Safari will leave Bordeaux at 6 p.m.
St. Croix Events: Farm to WIC
Oct. 19, at Sejah Farms: Bush Cook Chef Cook from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Entertainment: taste testing and health nutrition message
Oct. 24, at La Reine Market from 8 a.m. to noon
Entertainment, taste testing, health nutrition education
St. John Event: Farm to WIC Family Fun Day
Oct. 21, at Waterfront Park from 1-5 p.m.
Entertainment: Junya P. and local artist performances, taste testing and health nutrition message.
To be a certified vendor and to accept WIC FMNP coupons, please contact Billy Abraham by emailing: billy.abraham@doa.vi.gov or Maxine Richards by calling 473-7837.