SENATE REPUBLICANS REJECT MEASURE THAT ENCOURAGES INCREASED BUYING AT LOCAL FARMERS' MARKETS

Posted: June 01, 2011 | Senator Alfond, Senator Schneider

Bill promotes greater access for low income Mainers at farmers’ markets through public-private partnership

 

AUGUSTA—In a straight party-line vote of 20 – 15, Senate Republicans voted down a measure which would have allowed low income Mainers to use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) at local farmers’ markets. The bill, LD 735, sponsored by Assistant Democratic Leader Senator Justin Alfond, generated much debate on the Senate floor.

“There is no reason not to support this,” said Senator Alfond of Portland. “It costs nothing to the state and it’s a smart way to encourage more fresh food to more Mainers.”

According to Senator Alfond, there are 100 farmers’ markets in Maine but only 15% have the technology needed to allow for EBT. The bill as proposed would not have used tax payer dollars and would have been administered at no expense to the state. Instead, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Department of Health and Human Services along with the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, a public-private partnership would form aimed at greater access of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) electronic benefit transfers to farmers’ markets. To pay for the cost of the card reading machines, the partnership would solicit private funds and would also work with banks and machine vendors to eliminate, reduce, or reimburse all costs and fees associated with processing the cards by the farmers.

“What on Earth is wrong with providing a mechanism for low income people to buy fresh produce without any cost to the state? In fact it might yield a large reduction in health care costs,” said Senator Elizabeth Schneider of Orono. “We should be encouraging the consumption of more fruits and vegetables and other locally produced foods—and this bill does that.”

On Tuesday, the Senate debated another bill impacting the practices at farmers’ markets. LD 763, “An Act to Allow the Sale of Locally Produced Beer and Wine at Farmers’ Markets” passed with bipartisan support in a vote of 22 – 6. In reference to that debate, Senator Schneider, who voted in the minority against the measure allowing alcohol at farmers’ markets, expressed dismay that Senate Republicans are “flip-flopping their pro-business and pro-sales” attitude on another pro-business bill.

“What are we doing here? This is a bill that encourages the use of local businesses and farmers. I’m at a loss for words for why anyone would not support such a good bill,” said Senator Schneider.

According to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, SNAP benefits help low-income people buy the food they need for good health. A person may qualify for the program if they work for low wages, are unemployed or work part time, receive welfare or other public assistance payments, are elderly or disabled and live on a small income, or are homeless.