The District of Columbia's Committee on Health convened on May 9, 2025, to discuss significant legislative measures aimed at enhancing the operation and accessibility of farmers markets across the city. Chairperson Christina Henderson highlighted the complexities faced by market operators, who currently require approvals from up to 13 different agencies to operate, often leading to delays and increased costs.

The proposed legislation introduces several key initiatives to streamline the process for farmers markets. A new farmers market support program will be established within the Department of Health, providing technical assistance, guidance on licensing and permitting, and coordination among agencies. Additionally, a grant program of at least $250,000 is set to incentivize the opening and expansion of farmers markets in areas with low food access, covering operational costs and infrastructure improvements.

To further simplify operations, the legislation proposes waiving all licensing and permitting fees for markets in low food access areas and creating a centralized online application process by January 2028. This system will allow market operators to submit applications to a single agency, which will then distribute them to relevant agencies for review.

The meeting also addressed changes to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHIC), reducing its size from 15 to 9 seats to improve efficiency, as all eliminated seats are currently vacant. The financial implications of the bill are estimated at approximately $669,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $1.8 million over the financial plan, covering staffing and technology costs.

Henderson emphasized the importance of farmers markets in promoting health and food access, stating that the legislation represents a significant step toward supporting a resilient regional food system. The committee is now open for further discussion on the proposed measures.