Senate Bill 5214 would authorize a state mobile market program and direct the Washington State Department of Health to establish rules allowing nonprofit mobile market operators to accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits if federal funding and any USDA waivers are available. The bill includes an emergency clause setting an effective date of May 1, 2025.

The measure’s sponsor, Senator Sharon Schumake, said mobile markets serve rural communities that lack grocery access and that the proposal is intended to improve geographic equity. “Washington state produces $1 billion worth of fresh food and produce. But when our rural people can't access them, that's just not fair,” Schumake told the committee. She said the Twin Sisters Mobile Market in Whatcom County has been taking practical steps to serve remote customers and wants the ability to take WIC and senior FMNP benefits.

Committee staff described the bill’s mechanics: the Department of Health would define a mobile market in rule; at a minimum programs must be run by nonprofit organizations and serve areas that lack a farmers market. If necessary, DOH would seek a USDA waiver to permit mobile market participation in WIC and senior FMNP. Staff noted the WIC fruit-and-vegetable benefit in 2024 was $30 per eligible individual (up to three per household for that market season) and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefit was $80 for the market season in 2024. The legislation is contingent on USDA program availability and funding.

Supporters from the field say mobile markets reach residents who otherwise travel hours for groceries. Caitlin See, director of special projects for Twin Sisters Mobile Market, said the nonprofit brings local produce into USDA-designated food deserts and currently accepts EBT and SNAP market-match but cannot accept WIC or senior FMNP. “Every week I speak to customers who arrive at our market eager to use these programs,” See said. She described a recent customer who was turned away when attempting to use an SFMNP card and said she has not seen that customer since.

The Washington State Farmers Market Association and the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition testified that they support expanding access but urged care in defining a “mobile market” and protecting the core purpose of the farmers market nutrition programs — namely that benefits are spent directly with farmers. The association noted the need to safeguard program integrity and the capacity of state agencies that administer WIC and senior FMNP. The coalition also warned the committee that the May 1 emergency effective date may be technically difficult for DOH to implement in time for the market season.

The committee did not take a final vote in the hearing. Staff said rulemaking would be required if the bill is adopted, and that DOH would need to seek any administrative waivers from USDA before mobile markets could accept WIC and senior FMNP benefits.