WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (1992)
Congress launched a pilot program giving Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants vouchers to buy fresh produce at farmers markets. It became permanent in 1994.
Low-income mothers and children gained access to fresh produce at farmers markets for the first time.
The program normalized the idea of government nutrition benefits being spent at farmers markets, paving the way for SNAP acceptance.
Federal and state programs have progressively institutionalized what 9th West did on its own — connecting government food benefits to farmers markets.
