Eligibility for FMNP Vendor Certification
- Reside and grow eligible foods within Iowa or in a county adjacent to Iowa’s border.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- participate in an FMNP authorized farmers market or farmstand.
Steps to become an FMNP Certified Vendor
- Complete FMNP Vendor Training.
- Apply for Vendor Certification.
- Register a bank account to receive FMNP payments.
2025 FMNP Training Schedule
New vendors must complete training in 2025 before applying for certification. Vendors who completed training in 2024 do not need to retrain this year.
| Date | Time | Registration Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed. March 12 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here | |
| Wed. April 9 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here | |
| Sat. April 12 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here | Weekend |
| Wed. April 30 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here | In-person option* |
| Wed. May 14 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here | |
| Wed. May 28 | 5:00-6:00 pm | Register here | Evening |
| Wed. June 11 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here | |
| Wed. July 9 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here | |
| Wed. Aug 13 | 9:00-10:00 am | Register here |
*The webinar will be shown at select ISU Extension offices on April 30. Locations to be determined.
FMNP Requirements for Farmers' Markets
- Have at least three FMNP-certified vendors attending for a minimum of nine consecutive weeks.
- Be open for at least two hours on the same day, either weekly or every other week.
- Maintain consistent hours and days of operation throughout the season.
- Operate in a consistent, accessible location for the entire season.
- Notify IDALS of any changes to their FMNP schedule.
- Complete a Market Application.
Iowa Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides vouchers to WIC Families and eligible seniors to purchase fresh local produce at participating farmers markets and farmstand.
Fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs for human consumption. Eligible foods may not be processed or prepared beyond their natural state except for usual harvesting and cleaning processes. Locally produced, unpasteurized, pure honey is an eligible food only for the recipients of SFMNP benefits.
Produce or honey that has a traceable point of origin either within Iowa or in a neighboring state in a county adjacent to Iowa’s border.
Only vendors certified for the current year may accept and redeem FMNP vouchers.
Certified Vendors will display a WIC AND SENIOR FARMERS MARKET VOUCHERS ACCEPTED HERE sign, while they are at an authorized farmers market or authorized farmstand.
Visit the farmers market and farmstand directory data.iowaagriculture.gov/fmnp/.
Farmers who grow produce or honey within Iowa or in an out-of-state county on Iowa’s border, are at least 18 years old, and participate in an FMNP-authorized farmers' market or farmstand.
Participate in training on Iowa FMNP rules and procedures, then apply for vendor certification, and finally register a bank account to receive FMNP payments?
Once certified, vendors will receive an activation email allowing them to set up their payment account, register and verify a bank account. Then vendors can use the fmVendor app to scan vouchers for payment.
No. Vouchers are redeemed through the fmVendor app. Those without smartphone access should contact IDALS to discuss alternatives.
Certified Vendors will receive a weekly direct deposit for vouchers they’ve redeemed in the previous 7 days.
Yes, but at the beginning of each market day, the majority of the eligible foods at your stall must be personally grown by you. If you purchase produce or honey for resale, you must keep valid receipts that include the name, address, and phone number of the producer or wholesaler, the date of purchase, the location of the growing site, and the quantity purchased, itemized by product type. These receipts must be maintained for at least two years and provided to IDALS upon request.