Update: The Committee on Health held a public hearing on March 17, 2025 and updated the bill text based on the public input. You can watch the recording of the public hearing here.
The DC Council’s Committee on Health held a public hearing on B26-0109 – Farmers Market Support Amendment Act of 2025 on Monday, March 17, 2025. The bill, introduced by Councilmember Christina Henderson in January 2025 along with five other councilmembers, would create a Farmers Market Support Program to support farmers markets, farm stands, and mobile markets. DC Food Policy Council put together a community advocacy guide below, which outlines what the bill does and how to share your feedback on the bill. You can also download the printable guide here.
Public Hearing Details
- When: Monday, March 17, 2025, 9:30 am
- Where: hybrid in hearing room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) and virtual via Zoom.
- To watch live: dccouncil.gov/council-videos, christinahendersondc.com/live, and youtube.com/@cmchenderson
- To register and submit testimony: click here
What does the bill do?
The bill proposes to establish a comprehensive Farmers Market Support Program within the District of Columbia’s Department of Health. This Program would support farmers markets, farm stands, and mobile markets by:
- Providing technical assistance related to permits, licensing, and nutrition benefit programs;
- Streamlining permitting processes;
- Coordinating all government agencies involved in permitting and supporting farmers markets;
- Conducting marketing and promotion activities to raise resident awareness of farmers markets;
- Administering a grant program specifically targeting farmers markets in low food access areas to help cover operational costs, infrastructure, and extended seasonal operations; and
- Requiring discounted permitting fees to markets in low food access areas.
How can I provide input on this bill?
Your voice matters! Here are 3 ways to share your thoughts on the Famers Market Support Act:
- Testify live virtually or in-person: you must register online by 5pm on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
- Visit the DC Council Hearing webpage by clicking here.
- Click the “Register to Testify” box, and complete the form.
- If you need language and ASL interpretation, indicate the request on the registration form and submit by Monday, March 10, 2025.
- Submit your written testimony before the hearing by clicking the “Submit Testimony” box.
- Submit a written testimony: you have until 5pm on Monday March 31, 2025.
- Visit the DC Council Hearing webpage by clicking here.
- Click the “Submit Testimony” box, and complete the form.
- Upload your statement or type your testimony directly onto the form. Then submit.
- To leave a voicemail testimony, contact the committee for instructions.
- Call, email or meet with Committee and council offices throughout the legislative process. Contact the Committee of Health’s Director, Ona Balkus at obalkus@dccouncil.gov. You can also reach Committee Chair Councilmember Henderson’s office, or your Ward or At-Large Councilmember.
Background
DC’s 53 independently operated farmers markets are an important public resource that reach across the city’s eight wards. They provide residents with access to fresh, locally produced food, and serve as a unique market channel for the region’s small- and mid-size farms and food businesses which fosters a robust, resilient regional food system. Farmers markets also transform city streets into lively community spaces that draw weekly participation from residents. As vibrant public events, they drive foot traffic and have been credited with increasing sales for surrounding brick-and-mortar businesses as well as enhancing public safety. However, to date, the District has not allocated staff or resources toward market development, operation, or promotion. While farmers market nutrition incentive programs like Produce Plus create a revenue stream for farmers market vendors and increase fresh produce access, they do not cover costs related to operation, marketing, or technical assistance to markets and vendors.
In 2023 and 2024, the Food Policy Council convened groups of farmers market operators, vendors, and consumers, especially those in Wards 7 and 8, to understand the biggest barriers and opportunities to expand the impact of Farmers Markets in the District. The Sustainable Supply Chain Working Group compiled these insights and presented to a Food Policy Council meeting regarding their recommendations to support the maintenance, success, and expansion of farmers markets into food apartheid areas. You can review their presentation here or watch the recording here.
Tips for writing testimony
- Thank Committee Chair Henderson for convening the hearing and greet any other Councilmembers present.
- Briefly introduce yourself and/or your organization/business.
- Explain why you care about farmers markets and how this bill will make a difference to you, your organization, or your community.
- Express any concerns or suggestions you have to improve this bill.
- Share personal stories about your experience.
- Provide specific examples where possible.
- Close by thanking the Councilmember(s) for listening and clearly re-stating your recommendations.
Tips for testifying live
- Individuals will have 3 minutes to speak and 5 minutes if you are representing an organization. Practice reading aloud. A 3-minute testimony is between 450 and 600 words, or one page single spaced.
- You can also submit written testimony, which can be as long as you like and include more information than you read aloud.
- After you testify, you may be asked questions. It is ok if you don’t know the answer to a question. You can always say, “I’ll get back to you.”
- You will not be assigned a specific time to testify and you will be expected to be present when your name is called. You may estimate when this will be based on the witness list that is shared the day before the hearing. When it is your turn to testify, you will be called on. If you’re testifying virtually, you will need to have access to Zoom. The virtual hearing will be publicly visible.
For step by step instructions on how to register for live testimony and submit written testimony, watch the video tutorial below.