Last week proved to be very successful in regard to Senate Bill 850, also known as “Beans and Greens.” The Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee amended and voted out the measure with relative ease. The bill would alter the Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program (SNAP) to allow healthier choices for those who receive this type of government assistance.

It is my job as your senator to help implement successful and beneficial programs. I recognize that I serve constituents who both use SNAP and constituents who might wish to sell healthy food to individuals who use SNAP. When drafting Senate Bill 850, I took ample time considering in what way I could best do that. I personally believe that this measure answers that need.

The bill calls for increased purchasing power of SNAP for healthy, local food from local farmer’s markets. My overall aim of incorporating farmer’s markets is to not only allow for healthier options but to also aid those who are selling their products at the local markets.

Funding for these programs currently comes from local organizations and chapters of national non-profit groups. These organizations raise the money to pay the farmer’s markets vendors.

However, there is concern that private funding cannot continue to solely fund these programs due to the rapid growth and expansion of the markets. Many sponsoring organizations are calling for public funding, including the Healthy Food Incentives Cluster Evaluation, which pools funds between organizations and distributes them to these supplemental nutrition benefit programs all over the country.

One farmer’s market, based out of the Kansas City area, has implemented this program and has seen great success. The consumers are gaining quality in their food. As a result, the money spent is benefiting local farmers and sellers. Senate Bill 850 would expand this program to approximately six other locations across our state. Once expanded, the bill would also allow for up to a $10 match for every $10 of a SNAP purchase. The $10 match would come from private entities and allow the markets to offer this benefit.

My hopes with Senate Bill 850 are that all of my constituents will be able to benefit from this program. I want to help serve the local markets of Missouri, so that we can keep your hard-earned taxpayer money within the great state of Missouri.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about legislation that is being brought forth within the Legislature, please do not hesitate to call my office.