WIC - Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Certified WIC Program participants are eligible to participate in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Choctaw Farmers' Market has been authorized to provide fresh produce. The location of the market is on Black Jack Road, off Hwy 16 West, in the Pearl River Community. The market season is generally June through October. Date and hours of market operation will be advertised prior to its opening.
Access for those participants, who do not have reliable transportation and cannot access the market on Black Jack road, they can receive benefits by going to their local vacility building. A date and time is scheduled for their community and staff from the market will set up a "mobile market" in outlying communities.
Supplemental Income for Local Farmers
Many tribal farmers, who do some home gardening or small-scale farming, benefit by participating in the program. The market is open to all bona fide farmers who can deliver quality produce in sufficient quantities grown locally. The Choctaw Farmer's Market defines "locally grown" as produce grown in the state of Mississippi, more particularly within the counties in which Tribal land are located.
WIC FMNP participants will recieve:
-- Fresh produce. An approved list of fruits, vegetables and herbs is available.
-- Nutrition Education on topics that surround fresh fruits, vegetables & herbs. During the market season, classes will be held at the market.
| Approved Produce List | |||
| Blackberries | Blueberries | Butter Beans | Bellpeppers |
| Cabbage | Cantaloupe | Cayenne Peppers | Collard Greens |
| Crowder Peas | Cucumbers | Eggplants | Field Corn |
| Fresh Herbs | Habenero Peppers | Irish Potatoes | Jalapeno Peppers |
| Okra | Onions | Purple Hull Peas | Snap Beans |
| Squash | Sweet Corn | Sweet Potatoes | Turnip Greens |
| Turnip Heads | Watermelon (red & yellow meat) |
Zipper Creas Peas | Zucchini |
Senior/Elderly Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Application