Status Code Definitions

USDA Action. Several USDA agencies already have activities aimed at achieving the objectives of individual components of this recommendation. 

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has undertaken additional outreach, through changes in funding announcements and through informational efforts, to increase the proportion of Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) projects targeted toward local and regional food systems. 

At the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), officials have been working closely with State agencies and the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs to bring new States into the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program and to expand existing State programs. 

Although USDA requested $20 million for this program in the President's FY 2000 Budget, Congress only appropriated $15 million. However, within the $15 million appropriated for the FY 2000 WIC/Farmers Market Program, FNS has sufficient funds to expand State participation in the program to most of the 12 non-participating States. 

Currently, 38 States (including 3 Indian Tribal Organizations) participate in the program.  FNS also plans to work with the newly appointed Advisory Council on Small Farms to expand this program to more States). 

FNS also is working with farmers markets organizations and with State agencies to ensure that farmers markets can be properly equipped to handle electronic transactions as food stamps are converted to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) nationwide. 

FNS, AMS, and other USDA agencies also have continued to pursue marketing opportunities for small farms to directly supply local school lunch programs. 

AMS has undertaken additional outreach measures, through changes in funding announcements and through information efforts, to increase the proportion of FSMIP projects targeted toward local and regional food systems. Additionally, we have continued to support the development of farmers markets on federal property and the promotion of WIC/Farmers Market. 

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). An Interagency Team for Local and Regional Food Systems has met several times and is reviewing the eight specific components of recommendation 3.26; the team also is considering all other programs and activities where the Department can foster and promote local and regional food systems and will issue a report, with recommendations, to the Department in later in FY 2000. 

                and, 

Mission Area: FNCS (Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services 
Agency: FNS (Food & Nutrition   Service) 
Contact: Debbie Whitford, FNS 
Tel: 703-305-2610  
Fax:  
E-Mail: debbie.whitford@fns.usda.gov  
Rev. Date: 01/12/00 
Status Code: 2-Partially Implemented.

USDA Action. USDA requested a funding level of $20 million for this Program in the President's FY 2000 Budget. 

Status: Partially implemented (code 4). For FY 2001, Congress appropriated $20 million annually for the WIC/Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.

For FY 2000, Congress appropriated $15 million annually for the WIC/Farmers Market Nutrition Program, the same as appropriated for FY 1999. 

However, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has launched a new outreach effort to increase State participation in the program. Since FY 1998, the number of States participating in this program has increased from 34 to 38 States (including 3 Indian Tribal Organizations). 

Despite the fact that Congress did not increase in the funding level for this program, FNS believes USDA still has sufficient funds available to expand the program to additional States within the current appropriation level. 

Presently, there are 12 States which have not applied for participation in the WIC/Farmers Market Nutrition Program even though sufficient funds are available to fund these States. 

FNS will continue to conduct outreach efforts to bring in more  non-participating States. FNS also plans to work with the newly appointed Advisory Committee on Small Farms to identify barriers that might be keeping other States from participating in this program even though, as previously mentioned, Federal funds are currently available to expand the program.