AGRICULTURE CODE

CHAPTER 15. FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAMS

SUBCHAPTER A. PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.          


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.          


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.          


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.          


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.          


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.