Tom Harkin: “this legislation providing transfer authority to the Secretary of Agriculture is designed to help address the wide gap…”

“this legislation providing transfer authority to the Secretary of Agriculture is designed to help address the wide gap that exists between the need within the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and the level of resources that we have been able to appropriate for it. I welcome this opportunity to join as an original cosponsor of this bill. The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program has been an immensely popular and successful initiative, benefiting both farmers and WIC recipients. In fiscal 1995, nearly 1 million low-income mothers and children received benefits allowing them to purchase fresh, nutritious unprepared foods at 1,143 qualifying farmers' markets that were supplied by over 8,000 farmers. Currently, 27 States, including my State of Iowa, along with the District of Columbia and three American Indian tribal organizations, participate in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. To take part, States must agree to provide at least 30 percent of the total cost of the program through State, local, or private funds. The nutritional benefits of the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program are excellent.”