Hearing held on Hatfield’s Healthy Kids bill

OLYMPIA – The Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development heard public testimony today on Senate Bill 6483, known as the Local Farms, Healthy Kids bill, sponsored by Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond. Hatfield, who serves as Vice-Chair of the committee, noted the unlikely alliance that has coalesced around this bill.

“We’re bringing together the environmental and agricultural communities with this bill, two groups that don’t often agree on many issues, and that’s a great thing for the farmers and students of Washington,” said Hatfield.

SB 6483 is one of four legislative priorities of the Washington Environmental Council, along with changes in global warming laws and urban forest programs. Clifford Traisman, from the Washington Environmental Council as well as John Stuhlmiller from the Washington Farm Bureau testified in favor of the bill.

Hatfield’s bill will ease the restrictions in place that make it difficult for schools and other institutions to purchase from local farmers, forcing them to purchase from large distributors, adding to freight, storage, and refrigeration costs. By providing fresh locally grown food to schools, the students will be presented with healthier food, helping curb the growing childhood obesity problem.

Kim Howard of the Washington Parent Teacher Association testified to the significance of the bill, because for many students, the meals they receive at school may be the only food they get throughout the day. Mo McBroom of the Washington Environmental Council thanked Sen. Hatfield for taking the lead in support of SB 6483.

After today’s hearing, SB 6483 will await action by members of the Committee before it can proceed to a vote on the Senate floor. Hatfield is currently serving his first term in the Senate, and represents the 19th District, encompassing Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties, and portions of Grays Harbor and Cowlitz Counties.

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