Southwest Montana News

With the farmers' market season underway, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is encouraging families to enroll in and utilize the Montana Farm Direct Program. Lacy Little, director of the Montana Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program that oversees Farm Direct, stated: “There is nothing quite like Montana summers, and getting fresh fruits and vegetables from a farmer’s market is part of what makes our local communities so vibrant.” She added that the program helps families access more fresh produce grown by local farmers.

Farm Direct is a state-administered federal nutrition initiative allowing farmers to accept WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefits (FMNP) at markets and roadside stands. Approximately 3,200 WIC families participate in this program, primarily benefiting children. Eligible families receive $30 worth of vouchers for use at these venues. Since funds are allocated per participant rather than household, a mother with two young children could receive $90 for the summer. The vouchers cover fresh local fruits and vegetables but exclude items like baked goods, cheese, eggs, honey, and plants.

Little emphasized that this program offers an opportunity to introduce children to various nutritious fruits and vegetables. The WIC Shopper App provides features to help participants maximize their benefits by locating nearby WIC offices for sign-up information on Farm Direct benefits as well as offering tips for picky eaters and recipes using fresh produce.

The Farm Direct program collaborates with nine local WIC agencies: Gallatin County WIC, Lewis and Clark County WIC, Cascade County WIC, Flathead WIC, Riverstone WIC, Missoula WIC, Ravalli County WIC, Big Horn WIC, and Park County WIC. The current season runs from June 15 to September 30; however; farmers have until October 31 to redeem their vouchers at banks.

Farmers interested in joining can contact Glade Roos at 406-444-2841 or groos@mt.gov or reach out directly to any participating agency.

Montana's WIC includes 35 local agencies across over 80 clinic sites serving all counties and tribal reservations. Despite having nearly 14 thousand enrolled women infants children only about half eligible families are signed up.

Eligibility requires being pregnant postpartum breastfeeding or having a child under five meeting income criteria below Federal Poverty Level qualifying Medicaid SNAP TANF free/reduced school meals Specific guidelines available DPHHS website

WIC was established in 1974 supporting families during critical growth periods offering healthy food breastfeeding education referrals health social services Participation voluntary doesn't interfere programs like SNAP Medicaid