Spread the word about the WIC Voucher Program!

GET YOUR WIC VOUCHERS NOW THROUGH OCTOBER

The WIC Voucher Program (formally known as the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program) is a seasonal, supplemental nutrition benefit program for households that receive WIC benefits. This program aims to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for young children (1-5 years old) and mothers (pregnant, post-partum, or breastfeeding). From April to October, eligible participants receive $30 worth of vouchers to purchase fresh, Texas-grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets. These vouchers are in addition to monthly benefits received throughout the year.

When WIC participants get their vouchers at Double Up Food Bucks locations in Austin, they are doubled $1 for $1. This means families can receive a total of $60 (per eligible WIC participant) to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. You can double your vouchers at the following locations:

Although WIC vouchers expire on October 31st, the matching Double Up Food Bucks do not expire and can be used throughout the year at the locations above or Farmshare Austin’s mobile markets.

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EXPANDING THE WIC VOUCHER PROGRAM

In partnership with local organizations, SFC has provided this service in Austin for 20 years. But this program is not available statewide. We hope to expand food access in Texas by developing the WIC Voucher Program in West Texas.

SFC’s Promotoras (Community Health Workers) share that many families are not familiar with this program. This means that eligible families are missing a chance to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Since this program takes place during the summer, it provides an opportunity for families to access healthy food when schools are no longer in session and students may not have access to free or reduced-price meals. Business Insider shares that “millions of children in the US suffer from hunger and food anxiety during the summer months”. Although the US Department of Agriculture provides the Summer Food Service Program every year, No Kid Hungry reported that only 16% of children benefit from this programming. The WIC Voucher Program helps address this gap. In turn, as SFC expands our food access initiatives, we hope to see greater participation in the WIC Voucher Program.

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HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

Please help us spread the word about the WIC Voucher Program by sharing this information with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors! For more information about this program and Double Up Food Bucks in Central Texas, please visit our social media platforms, as well as our website: doubleupaustin.org. This website also features an interactive map with participating market locations. To speak with someone directly about these programs, call SFC’s bilingual (English and Spanish) Help Desk at 512-730-1807. We hope to see you at the farmers’ market!