CHAPTER 15. FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAMS - Texas Statutes

AGRICULTURE CODE

TITLE 2. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

CHAPTER 15. FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAMS

SUBCHAPTER A. PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Sec. 15.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Farmers market" means a location at which a group of two or

more farmers that are certified under the department's farmers

market certification program offer produce for retail sale.

(2) "Food coupon" means any redemptive coupon issued by the

Texas Department of Health under this subchapter that is

exchangeable only for produce at a farmers market.

(3) "Produce" means fresh fruits or vegetables.

(4) "W.I.C. program" means the federal special supplemental food

program for women, infants, and children administered by the

Texas Department of Health.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1191, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989.

Sec. 15.002. ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL NUTRITION PROGRAM. The

Texas Department of Health may establish a special nutrition

program to distribute to certain participants of the W.I.C.

program food coupons that are redeemable only at farmers markets

located in areas in which the program is implemented.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1191, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989.

Sec. 15.003. ELIGIBILITY; AMOUNT OF ALLOTMENT. (a) A person is

eligible to participate in the special nutrition program if the

person is enrolled in the W.I.C. program and resides in an area

in which the special nutrition program is implemented. The Texas

Department of Health shall determine the eligibility of potential

participants.

(b) Only the Texas Department of Health may determine the dollar

amount of each participant's monthly allotment of food coupons.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1191, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989.

Sec. 15.005. RULES. The Texas Board of Health shall adopt rules

under this subchapter that provide for:

(1) the design, printing, and denominations of the food coupons;

(2) the procedure for the delivery of the food coupons to

participants;

(3) the procedure for the redemption of food coupons by the

sellers of the produce; and

(4) other rules necessary for carrying out the purposes of this

subchapter.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1191, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989.

Sec. 15.006. ANNUAL REPORT. The department and the Texas

Department of Health shall jointly prepare an annual report

concerning the special nutrition program and submit a copy of the

report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the

house of representatives. The report must include information on

the condition of the program, persons served, amount of food

coupons redeemed, and funds received and expended.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1191, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989.

Sec. 15.007. PROGRAM FUNDS. The Texas Department of Health may

accept gifts and grants from the federal government, the state,

and private sources as well as legislative appropriations for the

program authorized by this subchapter. The use of gifts and

grants other than legislative appropriations is subject, after

their appropriation, only to limitations contained in the gift or

grant.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1191, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989.