We are well into the summer farmers markets season in New York and that means coupons are coming in! There are a number of nutrition coupons that farmers are collecting as payment for their product:
FMNP – FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM
These are $4 checks given out to WIC families and low income seniors. They can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating farmers. The coupons are valid for customers to use up to November 30, 2020. Farmers must redeem them no later than December 15, 2020.
FRESH CONNECT CHECKS
This is a SNAP incentive program administered by the NYS Dept of Agriculture and Markets. The $2 coupon is given to SNAP customers at farmers markets when spending $5 of their SNAP benefits at the market. The coupons can be used to purchase any SNAP eligible food from any participating farmer/vendor. Customers have until December 31, 2020 to use the coupons and farmers/vendors must redeem no later than January 15, 2021.
HEALTH BUCKS
This is a SNAP incentive program administered by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and available at all NYC farmers markets. The customer is given a $2 coupon for every $5 in SNAP benefits spent at the farmers market. The coupons are valid only on fresh fruits and vegetables from FMNP farmers. Customers have until December 31, 2020 to use the coupons and farmers must redeem no later than January 15, 2021.
CNY HEALTH BUCKS
This is a SNAP incentive program administered by the Food Bank of CNY and available at participating markets in the food bank’s region. Coupons are distributed by the Food Bank at select partnering agencies and through nutrition education workshops. In addition, the $2 coupons are given to SNAP customers at farmers markets when spending $5 of their SNAP benefits at the market. The coupons can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from FMNP farmers. Customers have until November 30, 2020 to use the coupons and farmers/vendors must redeem no later than December 15, 2021.
While there are other coupon programs that may be operating within New York’s farmers markets, these are the larger programs and those that use the Farmers Market Federation of NY as a redemption agent. As such, all coupons are to be sent to the Federation for redemption. All coupons should be stamped with the farmer’s FMNP number or, in the case of Fresh Connect, initialed by the vendor, and mailed or shipped to the Farmers Market Federation of NY for redemption, using a redemption form available here.
Once received, the Federation will promptly process all coupons, including a scan for an accurate count of coupons and collection of all coupon serial numbers. Payments will be made to farmers as each funder makes the funds available to us. In a normal year, this can be anywhere from 5 – 45 days. However, this year may be more delayed. With state and local governments in a financial bind due to fighting the coronavirus pandemic, funds are being released much more slowly. Rest assured, that all payments will be made, in the order that coupons are received, as quickly as possible. It is the Federation’s policy to cut checks within 2 days of the funds being released by the funder.
Please note the correct address for coupons to be sent for redemption. Failure to use the appropriate address will mean that your coupons will NOT arrive at the Federation office for processing.