Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services & Early Learning Committee

2SSB 6309

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Expanding access to nutritious food.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Lovelett, Wagoner, Nguyen, Walsh, Das, Salomon, Randall, Billig, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Saldaña and Wilson, C.).

Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill

  • Requires a fruit and vegetable benefit of at least $28 for participants in the Women, Infant, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

Hearing Date: 2/21/20

Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).

Background:

The federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to participants through farmers markets and farm stores. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or post-partum and children ages 1 to 5 years are eligible to participate in the WIC FMNP. To qualify, participants must have a household income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

The WIC FMNP is administered by the Department of Health (DOH). Each eligible participant receives a $28 benefit for the summer season for the purchase of fruits and vegetables at an authorized farmers market or farm store.

Federal rules require the federal benefit to be at least $10 and no more than $30 per participant per year. States may provide additional funding to increase the benefit level and are required to provide matching funds of at least 30 percent of the total program administrative cost.

Summary of Bill:

Subject to available funds, the DOH must distribute a fruit and vegetable benefit of at least $28 per summer farmers market season to each eligible participant in the WIC FMNP. To the extent that federal funds are available, the DOH must use federal funds up to the maximum benefit allowable under federal law.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.