Maryland WIC Farmers
Welcome to the Maryland WIC Program’s farmer web page. Here you will find information most requested by WIC Farmers. We hope you find this site helpful. If you have questions or need additional information or assistance, please call Andrea Tompkins at 410-746-7162.
We are also available toll free at 1-800-242-4WIC(4942).
Important Information about Becoming an Authorized WIC Farmer
Two types of benefits are distributed by the WIC Program for WIC participants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables; the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefit (administered by the Maryland State Department of Agriculture) and the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit (FVB) (administered by the Maryland Department of Health). Only Farmers authorized by the Maryland State Department of Agriculture to accept FMNP benefits are eligible to apply to the Maryland Department of Health to redeem WIC FVBs. To simplify the process for you, one application has been created that is shared between the two Departments and allows you to apply for only FMNP or FMNP and WIC FVB at the same time.
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Benefits
The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides $30.00 worth of benefits to qualifying WIC participants each Farmers’ Market season. The benefits are distributed during the summer months in WIC clinics. Farmers’ Markets are a focus of WIC nutrition education and are promoted by WIC staff throughout the market season. The FMNP benefits can be redeemed by FMNP-authorized farmers through November 30.
WIC Fruit and Vegetable Benefits (FVBs)
The WIC Program provides FVBs to eligible participants each month. These benefits can be redeemed by a WIC-authorized vendor (grocery store) or a WIC-authorized farmer. Since April 2021, WIC participants have been receiving an increase in their fruit and vegetable benefits. Children receive $26, pregnant women $47, and breastfeeding moms $52.
Maryland WIC uses the S3 Merchant Link app to process WIC FVBs at farmers' markets and farm stands. You can download the app to your phone and start accepting eWIC fruits and vegetables.
Did we mention that it's completely free!
- No set-up fees!
- No transactional fees!
- No cancellation fees!
- No additional equipment!
When Maryland WIC launched the S3 Merchant Link, introductory webinars were held in May 2022. We are including the link of the recorded meeting below so that you can see how the app works. We are also including a list of FAQs to help answer any common questions about the app.
If you are interested in signing up, please contact Andrea Tompkins at andrea.tompkins@Maryland.gov.
FAQs - S3 Merchant Link App by Solutran
An Introduction to S3 Merchant Link — recorded webinar
Applying to be an Authorized WIC Farmer:
Applications are being accepted from farmers to become authorized by the Maryland WIC Program to accept WIC FVBs at participating Farmers’ Markets.
If you’d like to be a FMNP authorized farmer and be able to accept WIC FVBs at the farmers’ market and/or your home farm stand, please follow the steps below:
- Attend a Maryland Department of Agriculture training session, sign up for training here.
- Complete the farmer's application on Maryland's One Stop, located
here.
- Once your application is reviewed and approved, Maryland's One Stop will email you the Farmer Agreement to sign electronically.
- Instructions for accepting WIC FVBs will be provided once the application process is completed.
Farmer resources:
Click
here to visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture for more information about Maryland Farmers Markets.
