Annual national conference of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs hosted by DOH Farmers Market Program
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health’s (DOH) Farmers Market Program proudly hosts the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) 2023 Annual Conference. The conference is scheduled to take place from September 5 to 9 at the Drury Plaza Hotel.
As a pioneering force in advancing the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, New Mexico's DOH was selected to spearhead this year's national conference. This recognition comes on the heels of the state's trailblazing achievement in 2022, when it became the first in the nation to implement mobile app-based benefit and payment technology within its Women, Infant, and Children program (WIC).
This innovative system empowers participants of both the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as well as program-approved farmers, to seamlessly conduct transactions. Utilizing either a dedicated mobile app or a WIC shopper card, beneficiaries can efficiently make and receive electronic payments at approved farmers' markets, roadside and farm stands, and mobile markets.
The forthcoming conference is poised to convene an assembly of distinguished individuals, including policy makers from the United States Department of Agriculture, administrators from across the nation, farmers, market organizers, and technology visionaries. The focus will center on exploring how technology is poised to reshape the future of vital programs such as SNAP, WIC, and Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.
“Our program caters to a broad spectrum of over 22,500 participants statewide, with nearly half being New Mexico’s esteemed elder population.” said New Mexico WIC and Farmers Market Director Sarah Flores-Sievers. “Regardless of age, the shift towards electronic transactions is undeniable. Aligning technology with the needs of both farmers and consumers has already yielded positive impacts. Our state stands as a national example of successful implementation."
Under the theme of "Seeds of Change: Cultivation Meets Innovation," this year's NAFMNP conference underscores the growing metamorphosis of nationwide programs towards harnessing modern technology. This shift is poised to bolster efficiency in facilitating the sale of locally grown nutritious foods by farmers and their acquisition by conscientious shoppers.
“We are excited to be in Sante Fe and see New Mexico’s revolutionary electronic transaction process,” said NAFMNP Executive Director Phil Blalock. “Today, over 75 percent of all retail purchases occur electronically. Leaders in this technology are paving the way for farmers nationwide!”
Now in its second year, New Mexico has cemented itself as one of the nation's most substantial WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's Food Initiative Fund has played a pivotal role in facilitating the program's modernization, effectively streamlining the process of purchasing fresh, local produce from New Mexico's dedicated farmers. This initiative greatly bolsters access to and consumption of healthy foods among families statewide.
Families and seniors seeking more information about WIC and the state’s Farmers Market Programs are encouraged to visit nmwic.org. For further details about the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs or conference registration, please visit https://nafmnp.org/.
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