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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 20
BY SENATORS HEITMEIER AND DORSEY-COLOMB
HEALTH/HOSPITALS DEPT. Directs Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a
state plan amendment to the federal government that will permit WIC cash value vouchers
to be used at farmers' markets.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To direct the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a state plan amendment to the2
United States Department of Agriculture for the Special Supplemental Nutrition3
Program for Women, Infants, and Children, popularly known as "WIC", to provide4
for the use of WIC cash value vouchers at farmers' markets.5
WHEREAS, the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, hereinafter "FMNP", was6
established by Congress in 1992 to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and7
vegetables for sale to WIC participants; and8
WHEREAS, through FMNP, Congress sought to expand the awareness and use of9
and sales at farmers' markets as these outlets began to expand across the United States; and10
WHEREAS, through the years of the WIC program, Congress has made numerous11
attempts to ensure that the healthiest options are available for purchase by those eligible to12
receive WIC benefits; and13
WHEREAS, as large supermarkets with substantial produce departments continue14
to be unavailable to substantial numbers of those receiving WIC benefits, farmers' markets15
have expanded in many of these areas in order to bring more nutritious options to WIC16
beneficiaries; and17
WHEREAS, over the more than twenty years of the FMNP, farmers' markets have18 SCR NO. 20
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expanded in Louisiana and have become more available for many Louisiana citizens,1
providing both a source of fresh nutritious foods and a market for the farmers of these more2
nutritious products; and3
WHEREAS, as of 2012, more than twenty states were offering the option of spending4
WIC vouchers at farmers' markets operating within those states; and5
WHEREAS, direct marketing of farm products through farmers' markets continues6
to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide and Louisiana continues7
to expand access to farmers' markets throughout the state; and8
WHEREAS, while these markets have continued to grow in popularity primarily due9
to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm, it10
follows logically that WIC participants would have the same interest in the availability of11
fresh food products direct from the farm.12
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby13
direct the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a state plan amendment to the14
United States Department of Agriculture for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program15
for Women, Infants, and Children to provide for the use of WIC cash value vouchers at16
farmers' markets.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the18
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.19
The original instrument was prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien. The
following digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative
instrument, was prepared by Christopher D. Adams.
DIGEST
Heitmeier SCR No. 20
Directs DHH to submit a state plan amendment to the WIC program, to provide for
participation of Louisiana farmers in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, in which
farmers agree to accept vouchers from participants in the WIC program for fresh, nutritious,
locally-grown foods.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Directs DHH to submit a state plan amendment to the United States
Department of Agriculture, instead of Medicaid, to permit the use of WIC
cash value vouchers at farmers' markets.