OLYMPIA – The expansion of mobile markets could see seniors and other food benefit recipients with new ways to access fresh fruits and vegetables. A bill to expand nutrition access by establishing a mobile farmers market program in Washington passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday.
Senate Bill 5214, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), would direct the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a mobile markets program to expand nutrition access for participants of the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), contingent on funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Currently, mobile markets cannot accept WIC and SFMNP benefits. The program would empower DOH to request a USDA waiver to allow acceptance.
“There are several great mobile farmers markets in Washington state working to provide our communities with nutritious, fresh food. Twin Sisters Market in Whatcom County informed me that they cannot accept WIC and SFMNP benefits. They’re prevented from helping the communities most in need,” Shewmake said. “These mobile markets do essential work aggregating fresh food from local farmers and bringing it to food deserts, especially in rural and underserved communities.”
Mobile markets are farmers’ markets on wheels, using vans or large vehicles to connect farmers with communities that have limited access to local produce. The Mobile Markets Coalition’s mobile market survey found that 83% of responding markets source food from within their own state and 53% source from within their own county.
The legislation requires eligible mobile markets to be operated by non-profits. DOH must also ensure they do not compete with farmers’ markets already participating in the Federal Market Nutrition Program.
Follow the bill’s progress here.
