Columbia state lawmaker’s farmers market legislation is now law

Bipartisan legislation allowing Missouri women and children eligible for WIC to use their benefits at local farmers markets is now in effect.

Governor Mike Parson (R) signed a bill that includes the provision from State Rep. Martha Stevens (D-Columbia), and that bill took effect on August 28th.

Stevens describes it as a win for Missouri families, farmers and local economies. Stevens says the program supports urban and rural communities by injecting hundreds of thousands of federal dollars into Missouri’s economy.

A coalition ranging from the Columbia Farmers Market to the Missouri Soybean Association to the American Heart Association backs Stevens’ measure, which establishes the Missouri Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).

The bill allows needy women and children to exchange WIC vouchers for fresh and nutritious food at farmers markets across Missouri.