Washington is the 2nd hungriest state in the nation. To reduce hunger and food insecurity among Washington state residents, priority recommendations include provision of adequate support for nutrition and food programs and improving access to nutrition programs.

The description below illustrates what organizations and communities are doing to support priority recommendations to reduce hunger and food insecurity.



The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) provides locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for WIC families and strengthens local economies and communities through the promotion of Washington State agriculture. Our goal is to distribute the WIC FMNP statewide in a way that is fair, given that the program has had funding to serve only about one-third of eligible clients. More eligible families will be able to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables at farmer's markets in 2005, thanks to an increase in state funding. We have positioned ourselves to accept more federal funds as they become available.
Target audience: WIC Families, local farmers across the State
Evaluation: The rate that clients redeem their checks for fruits and vegetables, and self reports by clients and farmers.

Partners: U.S. Department of Agriculture; the Washington State Department of Health, Community Wellness and Prevention; of which the Washington State WIC Program is a part; Washington State Farmers Market Association, WALWICA, Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network, Children's Alliance
Lead agency role: The Washington State WIC Program provides risk assessment, nutrition and health education and breastfeeding promotion, referrals to social and health services and checks for nutritious foods to low income women, infants and children to age 5.
For more information:
Cathy Franklin
Tel: 360-236-3648
Fax: 360-586-3890
WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program



The Children's Alliance works to increase the reach of federal food programs through state and federal policy. This year we, along with our partners, passed legislation that will expand school breakfast programs to high need schools, and increase families' access to the WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs. The legislature also increased support to local food banks.

Thanks to many partners who joined together in this effort: WA State PTA, School's Out Washington, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Action for Healthy Kids, WA Chapter of the American Chapter of Pediatrics, WA School Food Service Association, Washington Food Coalition, Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest and many individuals.

For more information:

Shelley Curtis
Children's Alliance

 


This publication was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number U58/CCU019291 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.


Last updated: March 28, 2006 15:36