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Bill aims to let nonprofit mobile markets accept WIC and senior farmers-market benefits
Summary
Substitute Senate Bill 52-14 would create a Department of Health mobile market program so nonprofit, farmer-led mobile markets can accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits in underserved areas, subject to federal waivers and DOH rulemaking.
Substitute Senate Bill 52-14, heard June 25, creates a mobile market program in the Department of Health to expand access to fresh produce for participants in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (SFMNP). The bill authorizes DOH rulemaking to define mobile markets and requires program operation by nonprofit organizations; it also directs DOH to seek any necessary federal waivers so mobile markets can accept WIC and senior program benefits.
Claire Lane of the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition said the bill clarifies state and federal definitions and would enable mobile markets to participate in nutrition programs designed to increase fresh-food access in low-access areas. Caitlin, a first-generation farmer and director of special projects for Twin Sisters Mobile Market, said her nonprofit serves three Whatcom County food‑desert locations and supports 18 local farms. She told the committee mobile markets serve communities that cannot sustain traditional multi‑vendor farmers markets and that preventing competition with existing farmers markets is not an issue because mobile markets operate in underserved areas.
No vote was taken. Sponsors and testifiers said the DOH rulemaking and any required USDA waivers would be the next administrative steps if the legislature advances the bill.
