Certified Mobile Farmers’ Markets (CMFMs) are a proven and innovative model for bringing affordable, local, culturally relevant produce to underserved communities while providing economic stimulus to California farmers.  The Agricultural Institute of Marin and Fresh Approach are co-sponsoring this state bill, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. 

As community members focused on addressing food insecurity in California, we support AB 2786.  The reasons we support AB 2786 are as follows:

• It will formally define the Certified Mobile Farmer's Market in the California Retail Food Code and increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables grown by California’s farmers among low-income families.
• By supporting this bill, we can ensure that more families have access to nutritious food while supporting our local farmers.
  Mobile farmers’ markets are run exclusively by non-profit organizations that partner with one or more farmers and only sell direct retail (not wholesalers). The mission of these markets is to support low-income communities.
• Mobile farmer's markets extend the reach and impact of certified farmers’ markets by increasing sales for certified producers who are generally unable to make it viable to sell in isolated locations that lack traditional farmers' markets.
• Adequate nutrition is key to preventing chronic conditions and reducing healthcare costs. In fact,
• Studies show that providing free or discounted fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to patients with diet-related diseases would save the U.S. over $39.6 billion in health care costs.

The California Mobile Farmers’ Market Coalition is a state network of non-profit organizations that operate or plan to operate MFMs. California is home to five active MFMs—operating across Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara Counties, with an additional four MFMs in the planning stages in Napa, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo Counties. With the passage of this bill, California can lead the way in providing new and innovative access points to connect farmers with WIC participants.

This bill would amend the California Retail Food Code to include a new definition for mobile farmers’ markets and direct the CA Dept of Public Health to establish criteria for their authorization when establishing criteria for vendor authorization in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

Sign this petition today to help make fresh produce accessible to all Californians!