Flipchart Notes from Ask & Tell!

Flipchart Notes from Ask & Tell! October 15, 2011 NAFMNP Conference San Antonio, Texas

Budget – Working Around Decreasing State $$ for FMNP Match • Use state $$ spent on SFMNP towards FMNP state match requirement • Seek grants from WIC food manufacturers (Michigan) • WIC formula rebate counts as program income and could be used towards match requirement • WIC local agencies pay some (which state?) • Market management in-kind contributions (Alaska) • Use volunteers at state office • “Extension time” (?) • Consider printing checks by other than banking contractor • “Shorter use – season” (?)

Check issues at banks • Farmers reporting new requirements with their banks/credit unions: • Business account requirement • Maximum volume on processing checks • Involve state banking/credit union association • Establish a farmer-preferred bank • Get advocates involved – legislation against requirements

Promotional Activities • Use Premier Marketing Group items! • Display at fair • Produce signs for farmers • Tote Bags • Coupon Pouches (holders) • Extension Service recipes • Federal coloring book www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets • “Go Slow and Low” (?)

Senior FMNP • Bulk purchase option helps to use remaining food dollars at end of season. • Nevada distributes via CSFP sites • Massachusetts sets aside $$ for bulk purchases to homebound elders

Incentives • Washington DC offers “bonus bucks” for (S)FMNP - 7 out of 25 area markets participate in Wholesome Wave • Requires prior permission from FNS to offer incentives for (S)FMNP • Farmers’ markets still need cash to be sustainable

WIC Cash Value Voucher • A “point of sale” or check-out guide for farmers is helpful (Oregon) • Provide enough materials for each farmer’s venue • Need to encourage young families to shop at farmers’ markets

Compliance • For WIC Cash Value Voucher, consider conducting overt visits v. compliance buys so staff can provide technical assistance if necessary

Flipchart Notes from Ask & Tell!