We will start emailing previously authorized farmers' markets and those on our waitlist in March to begin re-authorization for the 2025 season. If you're a new market seeking authorization for the 2025 season, please contact us for more information.
Why FMNP?
Are you looking for a way to reach new customers and help your vendors increase sales?
Farmers provide the fresh, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are at the core of both the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (together known as FMNP). At the same time, FMNP participants learn about farmers' markets and how to buy fresh products from local farmers.
As a market manager, you are a key player for FMNP. You provide guidance to your market’s Authorized Vendors and assistance to program participants during their time at your market.
Requirements for Farmers' Markets
To be eligible to become an Authorized Farmers' Market, your market must have:
- Established days and hours of operation at established site(s).
- A minimum of three Authorized FMNP Vendors and the guaranteed presence of at least one Authorized Vendor during posted hours of operation.
- A designated contact (market manager or member) that attends an FMNP vendor training session and agrees to assist in program compliance.
- Established market rules or by-laws that contain, at minimum:
- Membership fees, a dues structure, or some other revenue source
- A method to establish and enforce market rules and operating procedures
- A process to amend market by-laws and rules
- No fee for members to participate in FMNP.
- At least one successful summer of operation prior to authorization.
- A location near an FMNP distribution site.
- Take an FMNP training
Contact us to see if your market is eligible to become an Authorized Market for the upcoming season.
NEW Farmers' Market Nutrition Assistance Grant Available!
Minnesota farmers’ markets can apply for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant to support food assistance programs such as SNAP, FMNP, SFMNP, Market Bucks, and Power of Produce (POP) Club.
Funding Overview:
- Approximately $150,000 in available funding.
- Grant requests can range from $1,500 to $10,000 per market association.
- No match required.
- Approved projects can request up to 50% in advance funding.
Eligibility:
To apply, you must:
- Be a Minnesota farmers’ market.
- Plan to participate in at least one nutrition assistance program in 2025 that provides food directly to participants at the market.
Eligible Expenses Include:
- Staff or volunteer salaries/stipends
- Launching new food assistance programs
- Signage, storage, and technology upgrades
- Program materials, advertising, and transportation costs
- SNAP/EBT processing fees
Applications are due on February 20, 2025 by 4 p.m. CT.
For more information and to apply, visit Farmers' Market Nutrition Assistance Grant | Minnesota Department of Agriculture
