Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 20
BY SENATORS HEITMEIER AND DORSEY-COLOMB AND REPRESENTATI VE
BARROW
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To direct the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a state plan amendment to the
United States Department of Agriculture for the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children, popularly known as "WIC", to provide
for the use of WIC cash value vouchers at farmers' markets.
WHEREAS, through the years of the WIC program, Congress has made numerous
attempts to ensure that the healthiest options are available for purchase by those eligible to
receive WIC benefits; and
WHEREAS, as large supermarkets with substantial produce departments continue
to be unavailable to substantial numbers of those receiving WIC benefits, farmers' markets
have expanded in many of these areas in order to bring more nutritious options to WIC
beneficiaries; and
WHEREAS, as of 2012, more than twenty states were offering the option of spending
WIC vouchers at farmers' markets operating within those states; and
WHEREAS, direct marketing of farm products through farmers' markets continues
to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide and Louisiana continues
to expand access to farmers' markets throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, while these markets have continued to grow in popularity primarily due
to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm, it
follows logically that WIC participants would have the same interest in the availability of
fresh food products direct from the farm.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
direct the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a state plan amendment to the
United States Department of Agriculture for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children to provide for the use of WIC cash value vouchers at
farmers' markets. SCR NO. 20 ENROLLED
Page 2 of 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES