Whatcom County-championed bill expands benefit payment options for mobile markets
Mobile farmers markets across Washington can now serve more food-insecure community members thanks to the passage of a locally championed bill.
Starting in 2026, mobile farmers markets like Whatcom County-operated Twin Sisters Mobile Market (TSM) will be able to accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) payments from customers.
These supplemental payment programs help support low-income eligible community members afford healthy, local food. However, mobile farmers markets, which help connect local farmers with underserved communities, were previously excluded from Washington’s definition of a farmers market. This prevented them from accepting these kinds of benefits and forced them to turn away people in need.
“For years, we’ve seen so many seniors and families trying to use these program cards at our markets, and it has been heartbreaking to have to turn them away,” said TSM Director of Special Projects Cat Sieh in an announcement about the bill’s approval. “Our market’s core mission is making fresh, locally-grown food more accessible for all Whatcom County residents. Especially now, that includes accepting as many benefits programs as possible to make food more affordable.”
Mobile farmers markets offer a “convenient and accessible way for residents to purchase local, seasonal fruits and vegetables,” making them uniquely capable of serving low-population, lower-income regions, according to Sieh.
Twin Sisters Mobile Market has been able to accept EBT and SNAP Market Match. Now, with the expanded opportunity to accept these other benefits, the market can offer its food to more community members.
The market serves three USDA-designated Whatcom County “food deserts” in Deming, Kendall and Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood. The truck supports 21 small farms and is the only farmers market serving east Whatcom County, a rural area where many residents face poverty and low access to food.
East Whatcom County was designated as a rural Health Equity Zone by the Department of Health in 2024, “with over 70% of families qualifying for WIC benefits but having limited options for using them,” Sieh said in the announcement.
Local Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-42), along with 12 other state Senators, sponsored Senate Bill 5214 in partnership with Twin Sisters Mobile Market.
“There are several great mobile farmers markets in Washington state working to provide our communities with nutritious, fresh food.” Shewmake said in the announcement. “Twin Sisters Mobile Market in Whatcom County informed me that they cannot accept WIC and SFMNP benefits. They’re prevented from helping the communities most in need. These mobile markets do essential work aggregating fresh food from local farmers and bringing it to food deserts, especially in rural and underserved communities.”
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 1:39 PM.
