Improved health outcomes in the Hispanic and Migrant population through healthy eating plus increased physical activity to reduce/prevent health related consequences is the goal of COI's Health Services Start Smart Program through the help of the New York State Department of Health Minority Health Mini Grant in the amount of $5,000.

Since the early 1990's, Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc, WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program) has been distributing Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks to WIC-eligible families to help them purchase locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables during the months of July through October.

The FMNP is designed to encourage WIC-eligible families to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables through the issuance of FMNP "checks" that can be redeemed at participating Farmers Markets throughout New York State. The program promotes the consumption of fruits and vegetables while at the same time supporting and expanding the farmers markets for New York farmers.

One of the goals of the WIC Program is to encourage healthy life choices through nutrition education. The FMNP complements the Department of Health's "Eat Well, Play Hard" initiative that encourages teh consumption of fruits and vegetables to improve general health and to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

The FMNP provides an incentive for WIC families to try fresh produce and encourages them to consume more fruits and vegetables. By introducing WIC families to farmers markets through the FMNP, it is the hope that these families will continue to frequent these markets as they continue to purchase fresh produce from them.

Each spring, WIC programs receive a supply FMNP checks that are to be distributed to EIC-eligible families. Each family receives on check booklet per season; for 2004, the value of the booklet is $24.00 (12 checks each worth $2.00) and in 2003, 2,300 WIC families in Chautauqua County received FMNP check booklets.

When these checks are distributed, WIC staff encourage the WIC families to redeem their checks at participating farmers markets in their neighborhood, and provide education on the selection, storage, preparation and nutritional benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables.

In addition Cornell Cooperative Extension supports the program by providing on-site nutrition education at selected CIC sites and farmers markets. Questions on the FMNP can be directed to the WIC Program: Dunkirk Office: 366-4374, Jamestown Office:483-3337.