Montana Senate committee hears broad support for study of farmers markets and local food systems

Senate Joint Resolution 11, a study request to examine Montana’s farmers markets and local food systems, drew near-unanimous support from proponents during a hearing before the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee.

Senator Bruce “Butch” Gillespie, chair of the committee and the sponsor of SJ 11, introduced the measure as an effort to “bring that gap together” between producers and consumers and to better understand the role of local food venues such as farmers markets and food co‑ops. Gillespie told the committee the study could strengthen connections between urban buyers and rural producers.

Kaly Wicks, policy director for Grow Montana, told the committee that the Local Food Choice Act (passed in 2021 and amended in 2023) and Montana’s cottage food rules have created opportunities but also confusion at farmers markets. “Farmers markets are legitimate businesses that play a vital role in our communities,” Wicks said, and SJ 11 would allow “a collaborative group of subject matter…