Bureau of Family Nutrition
Division of Community Health & Prevention
Illinois Department of Human Services
Program Description:
Target
Participants in the WIC program (women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or in the postpartum period as well as their children up to 5 years of age) and income-eligible senior citizens
Purpose
To promote the routine consumption of fruits and vegetables as a part of the daily diet.
Services
The program provides coupons that can be redeemed for fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers' markets in 24 counties. The program can only operate from July through November 30th of each year. Nutrition education materials, including recipes,
are also distributed.
Delivery Method
The Department operates two separate programs. Coupons for WIC participants are distributed at WIC clinics. Coupons for seniors are distributed at local senior citizens' centers through the cooperation of the Illinois Department on Aging, Area
Agencies on Aging, and the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Program Data
WIC/Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs Program Data
| Performance Indicators |
SFY03 |
SFY04 |
SFY05 |
SFY06 |
| Grant Amount (Numbers in 000's) |
$814.30 |
$777.20 |
$777.20 |
$500.50 |
| Number of Grantees |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Number Served |
65700 |
66500 |
86990 |
87000 |
Program Effectiveness
The program continues to grow to new areas even though funding is reduced. Two new counties were added to the program in 2006. Through matching funds the program provides fresh produce to 31,500 clients that participate in nine of the WIC Food Centers
in Chicago.
