Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services & Early Learning Committee

HB 2262

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.

Sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Riccelli, Gildon, Stonier, Doglio, Eslick, Peterson, Shewmake, Pollet, Callan, Frame, Hudgins, Kloba, Fitzgibbon, Ryu, Tarleton, Thai, Appleton, Valdez, Slatter, Bergquist, Ormsby, Wylie, Cody, Goodman, Gregerson and Tharinger.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires a fruit and vegetable benefit of at least $32 for participants in the Women, Infant, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

Background:

The federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to participants through participating 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 $32 per summer farmers market season to each eligible participant in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. To the extent that federal funds are available, federal funds must be used to pay for the benefit.