Council hearing spotlights Farmers Market Support Amendment Act, witnesses press for streamlined permitting and funding

Councilmember Christina Henderson, Chair of the Committee on Health, brought the committee’s public hearing to order Monday to consider B26‑6109, the Farmers Market Support Amendment Act of 2025, which would create a Farmers Market Support Program at the Department of Health and establish at least $250,000 per year in grants to support markets in areas with low food access.

The bill, introduced in February with Councilmembers Allen, Freeman, K. Bonds (Doe), Parker and Robert White as co‑sponsors, would provide technical assistance, a designated permit pathway, discounted licensing in low‑access areas and a grant program to help markets expand operations, cover infrastructure costs and extend seasons. Chairperson Henderson said there are currently 53 independent farmers markets in the District and that about 330,000 residents live in areas classified as low food access.

Why it matters: witnesses testified that farmers markets act as both public‑health interventions and economic engines — supplying fresh produce, supporting small and regional producers, and creating community gathering places — and that permitting, fees and inconsistent agency coordination often block markets from opening or expanding in neighborhoods that need them most.

Farmers market operators, food‑access nonprofits, growers and public‑health experts told the committee the bill’s grant fund and technical assistance are urgently needed. Rebecca Chavez, director of agricultural programs at FreshFarm, said FreshFarm operates 19 markets and that its network generated roughly $29.8 million last year for 268 regional farmers and food…