Just as Rhode Island's 14 farmers' markets are preparing to open for another season of selling fresh produce, the federal government is withdrawing key support. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to eliminate one program that fosters open-air sale of fruits and vegetables and has cut funding for a second program.

Last year, the USDA gave Rhode Island $157,060 to provide coupons to low-income women and children to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. But this year, relates Becky Bessette, chief of the Rhode Island Department of Health's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the federal grant has been cut in half, to $80,652. Meanwhile, President George W. Bush's pending budget proposes the almost entire elimination of the program.

While supporting farmers and encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables is a "laudable goal," Eric Bost, the USDA undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, told Congress in March, the $10 million national effort "is a small program that does not operate in all states, is not operated statewide by any participating state, and provides limited benefits to only some WIC participants."

But WIC coupons are a lifeline for markets on Parade Street in Providence, at the old train station in Central Falls, and at Precious Blood Church in Woonsocket, says Peter Susi, marketing specialist with the state division of agriculture, accounting for about 90 percent of sales. "It won't put them out of business, but it certainly will hurt," observes Al Bettencourt, executive director of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, who sells vegetables at the farmers' market held on Saturdays at Hope High School on Providence's East Side. About 40 percent of the customers at the market use WIC coupons.

Local farmers had hoped to replace WIC revenue with a grant from a similar program for senior citizens, but the proposal was rejected, says Susi, because federal funding for the two-year old-program has also been chopped almost in half. Only about half of WIC recipients use their coupons, so Susi hopes to cushion the blow by encouraging more people to use them. Due to the federal cutbacks, however, Bessette says recipients will receive only $16 in coupons instead of last year's $20 allotment.

Farmers also hope that legislation sponsored by state Senator Susan Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown) will send more WIC coupons their way. Sosnowski, an organic farmer, proposes to bar Massachusetts- and Connecticut-based farmers from receiving WIC coupons in Rhode Island. Those states do not currently allow Rhode Island farmers to set up stalls in their markets, she says.

For a complete list of markets and their hours call Susi at 222-2781, ext. 4517, or visit www.state.ri.us/dem/topics/agricult.htm.

Issue Date: April 19 -25, 2002