About the Farm Direct Nutrition Program
The Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program is a state-administered USDA nutrition program that brings more than 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 $4 Farm Direct Dollars are used to buy locally grown, unprocessed fruits, vegetables and cut culinary herbs from June 1 through November 30. Vouchers accepted by authorized farms are redeemed electronically through an online payment portal and paid weekly by direct deposit. Accepting and redeeming Farm Direct vouchers is free for authorized farms.
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.
Farm Authorization
Authorized farmers accept Farm Direct vouchers for the sale of their fresh fruit, vegetables, and cut culinary herbs.
To qualify,
farm 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,
farms 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.
Once authorized, farms will be sent the information they need to set up their payment portal account.
Farmers markets participation
Participating farmers markets are listed as shopping locations in the program's broadly promoted online directory.
To be listed in the online directory, a
farmers market must:
- Meet the program's definition of a farmers market: a group of producers, including farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, or culinary herbs, who assemble over the course of a year at a defined location for the purpose of selling their produce directly to consumers.
- Provide updated location information annually.
Farmers Market application.
- Plan to have at least one Farm Direct-authorized farmer available during all markets June-November.
- Review program materials provided to assist with and address shopper questions.
- Provide equitable treatment of Farm Direct shoppers, including the same treatment and courtesies offered to other shoppers.
Reference materials for farmers and farmers markets
Farmer-specific materials
Contact for farm and farmers market representatives
Email: Oregon.FDNP@dhsoha.oregon.gov
Phone: 877-807-0889, option 2 (toll-free)
Mail: Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program, P.O. Box 14450, Portland, OR 97293-0450