Women and children in the Women, Infants and Children program as well as senior citizens can get help paying for their produce at farmers markets and farm stands thanks to the state-administered Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

The program gives out $20 worth of vouchers per season that can be redeemed that season for locally grown fruits and vegetables from participating farmers.

In a new twist, a Hampton man has organized an effort to bring the produce to the Downtown WIC office and near the McKees Rocks WIC office to be redeemed for the vouchers.

Dick O'Toole, who runs the named-for-his-late-physician-father Dr. Richard O'Toole Pediatric Fund, calls his effort "markets on a mission" -- to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder while helping people eat better.

Starting June 2, each Tuesday, he and his group will bring produce to the WIC office on the third floor of the Investment Building at 239 4th Ave., Downtown. Space has been donated by the landlord, E.V. Bishoff. The produce stand will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to mid-October.

"Everyone is excited to see if we can improve the redemption rate on the vouchers," says Mr. O'Toole, who's mostly worked out the logistics of getting the produce inside and upstairs each week.

Previously, only about half of the WIC vouchers have been redeemed, according to county health department spokesman Guillermo Cole. He says the department issued about $215,000 worth of vouchers via its WIC program.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays starting June 4, Mr. O'Toole and company also will offer produce in the lobby of Focus on Renewal's Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks, which is very close to WIC there.

F.O.R. Associate Director Sister Sarah Crotty says the agency always wants a farmer, but usually can't get one, so, "We're thrilled."

Mr. O'Toole's fund commissioned reusable shopping bags to help carry the produce along with a statement of the fund's mission. "We will also be distributing educational materials about healthy pregnancies and healthier birth outcomes, most specifically about alcohol and pregnancy," he says.

His group already sets up farm stands at two Hampton churches -- St. Ursula and St. Catherine of Sweden, which also run June to mid October. (St. Catherine is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and St. Ursula, noon to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.)

All the produce is grown by Kaelin Farm in Franklin Park. Mr. O'Toole, who usually gives 10 percent of his profits to the two churches, has asked them to allow him to use their lots for free so he can lower his prices at the two new locations.

All the farm stands, including the Downtown WIC office one, can sell to other building tenants and the general public, including seniors, as well. And he hands out seasonal recipes.

Area WIC mothers can get their vouchers at one of a dozen WIC offices in the region.

Senior citizens can get theirs at county senior centers on the day they are distributed: July 7. People who can't be there that day can have a proxy get theirs. But there are only 25,750 sets of vouchers available.

The 2009 household income eligibility for those 60 (this year) and older is less than $20,036 for a single person and $26,955 for a married couple.

Call 412-350-5460 for more information. For more on the foundation, visit stopfasd.org.