News

MO bill to provide more food options to women, children

A Missouri Senate bill is looking to provide better food options to women, infants and children in the state. Senate Bill 525 would provide vouchers for food through the Farmers Market Nutrition Program: Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children.

The bill’s sponsor Lauren Arthur of Clay County says the WIC (like wick) program also supports local farmers.

“It’s great for those who are enrolled in WIC but, it’s also really good for our local farmers and a way to connect those two groups,” she said.

Arthur said currently, WIC provides food and health care referrals to pregnant women, infants and children five-years-old and younger.

“Under this bill, WIC participants would be provided vouchers to be used in exchange for foods at farmers markets,” she said.

Arthur testified for the bill during a Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee hearing Monday. The Missouri Soybean Association supported the bill during the hearing.