Effective 28 Aug 2018

208.285. Senior farmers' market nutrition program, department to apply for grant — vouchers for fresh produce — rulemaking authority. — 1. The department of agriculture shall apply for a grant under the United States Department of Agriculture's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to provide low-income seniors with vouchers or other approved and acceptable methods of payment including, but not limited to, electronic cards that may be used to purchase eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.

2. There is hereby established the "Missouri Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program" within the department of agriculture. Upon receipt of any grant moneys under subsection 1 of this section, the program shall supply Missouri-grown, fresh produce to senior participants through the distribution of vouchers or other approved methods of payment that may be used only at designated Missouri farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs. The program is designed to provide a supplemental source of fresh produce for the dietary needs of low-income seniors; to stimulate an increased demand for Missouri-grown produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs; and to develop new and additional farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs.

3. Eligible seniors shall receive senior farmers' market nutrition program vouchers or other approved methods of payment from designated distribution sites in their county of residence. Upon the issuance of vouchers or other approved methods of payment, participants shall be provided with a list of participating farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs. The department shall provide distribution site information at all county area agencies on aging.

4. For purposes of this section, "senior participant" means a person who is sixty years of age or older by December thirty-first of the program year and who meets the income eligibility criteria based on guidelines published annually by the United States Department of Agriculture.

5. The department may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable, and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2018, shall be invalid and void.

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(L. 2018 H.B. 1625)