National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs

Posted by on August 20, 2010

National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs to Hold Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, October 6-9, 2010

The National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs will hold its 18th annual conference, October 6-9, 2010 in Portland, Oregon at the Hilton Hotel, Downtown.

“Planting Ideas, Harvesting Health” is the theme to this year’s conference.  Making the connection between good nutrition, local agriculture and health, workshops will include the role of farmers’ markets in a sustainable food system; how farmers’ markets can be a catalyst for sustainable food purchasing in health care institutions; senior nutrition; WIC cash value voucher implementation and farmer training; grant writing and farmers’ market promotions.  The annual meeting for the association will be held in conjunction with the conference on Friday, October 8th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

A screening of the movie “Good Food” will take place on Thursday evening, October 7th. Good Food visits farmers, farmers’ markets, distributors, stores, restaurants and public officials developing a more sustainable food system for all in the Pacific Northwest.  The conference will conclude on Saturday, October 9th with visits to Farm Works Farm on Sauvie Island and the Portland Farmers’ Market at Portland State University.

A complete agenda, including workshop descriptions and registration details, can be found on the association’s website, http://www.nafmp.org.

The National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs is a non-profit corporation founded in 1992.  It is the nation’s only organization that links states, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribal Organizations, Territories and others with a stake in USDA’s WIC and Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs with a shared mission

About the USDA Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs:

Through two federal programs, checks or coupons are provided to eligible WIC families and seniors to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. (For the Senior FMNP, states may also allow honey as an eligible food).  The programs expand the awareness, use of and sales at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and/or community supported agriculture farms.