CHAPTER 15. FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAMS
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.