HB 1593-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Finds that: (1) The farmers market nutrition programs promote health, alleviate hunger, prevent obesity, and encourage the development of good eating habits by enabling low-income women to purchase locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables for themselves and their young children and low-income and homebound seniors to purchase locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables for themselves through farmers markets, congregate meals sites, and senior housing.

(2) The farmers market nutrition programs support small farmers and rural economies through the promotion of Washington state agriculture.

Provides that, during the 2005-2007 biennium, an additional four hundred thousand dollars from the general fund--state are appropriated to the department of health to maintain 2004 participation levels for the farmers market nutrition program for women, infants, and children.

Provides that, during the 2005-2007 biennium, seven hundred fifty thousand dollars from the general fund--state are appropriated to the department of social and health services to maintain 2004 participation levels for the senior farmers market nutrition program.