About the Farm Direct Nutrition Program
The Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program is a state-administered USDA nutrition program that brings nearly two million dollars to Oregon farmers each year. Farm Direct Dollars are issued to families enrolled in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition program and to income-eligible seniors to spend with authorized farmers selling directly to consumers.
The newly designed $4 Farm Direct Dollars are used to buy locally grown, unprocessed fruits, vegetables and cut culinary herbs from June 1 through November 30.
Direct Deposit - New in 2023
Farm payments will now happen by direct deposit through a payment portal. Vouchers cannot be deposited in person at the bank. Authorized farms will be sent the information they need to set up their payment portal account. Accepting and redeeming Farm Direct vouchers is free for farmers.
How the vouchers work:
- Shoppers will spend these vouchers in the same way as the previous checks.
- The point-of-sale transaction will also remain the same - accept the voucher for eligible produce and do not offer change.
- Vouchers can be processed with a smart device or computer when internet access is available. Vouchers do not need to be scanned at the time of purchase.
- Scan the barcode or manually enter the barcode digits into your payment portal account. All vouchers must be processed before 12/15/2023.
The
Farm Direct Shopper Directory is updated each spring, and locations may change or be added throughout the program season.
Apply to be an authorized farm or participating farmers market
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If you are new to the Farm Direct Nutrition Program, complete an online application for first time farmers and farmers markets.
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If you were a participating farmer or farmers market last year, the Farm Direct team will contact you by email the first week of April to update your information or reapply as needed.
Farmer authorization
Authorized farmers accept Farm Direct vouchers for the sale of their fresh fruit, vegetables, and cut culinary herbs.
To qualify,
farmers must:
- Own, lease, rent, or sharecrop land to grow, cultivate, or harvest crops on that land in Oregon or a bordering county in another state, and;
- Sell their own produce at a farmers market or farm stand.
Before accepting Farm Direct vouchers,
farmers must:
- Complete and submit an application;
- Participate in a brief orientation offered by video or phone;
- Sign a three-year agreement, and;
- Receive an authorization letter and program materials packet in the mail from the state Farm Direct Team.
Farmers markets participation
Authorized farmers markets are listed as shopping locations in the program's broadly promoted online directory.
To qualify, a
farmers market must:
- Meet on a consistent basis at defined locations over the course of the season;
- Have at least three market vendors over the course of the season who would be eligible as a Farm Direct farmer (see above), and;
- Have at least one Farm Direct authorized farmer available during all markets June-November.
To be listed in the online directory,
farmers markets must:
- Complete and submit an application each season;
- Participate in a brief video call if a newly participating market or new market manager;
- Sign a one-year agreement, and:
- Receive program materials packet in the mail from the state Farm Direct Team.
Reference materials for farmers and farmers markets
Farmer-specific materials
Farmers Market-specific materials
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Farmers Market Agreement (PDF) - Participating farmers market managers agree to this information when authorized to participate in the program. A signed copy will be provided to the market representative in their market's set-up packet.
Contact for farm and farmers market representatives
Email: Oregon.FDNP@dhsoha.state.or.us
Phone: 877-807-0889, option 2 (toll-free)
Mail: Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program, P.O. Box 14450, Portland, OR 97293-0450