Written by Hutchinson Staff Wednesday, 28 April 2010 15:54
According to Hunger Illinois, formerly the Food Bank Association of Illinois, over 1.3 million residents, 607,000 households, in Illinois participated in the food stamp program in 2008. Also, 9.5% of Illinois’ population suffers from food insecurity or the lack of consistent access to nutritious food, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). "Food insecurity in Illinois is a growing problem that is directly linked to the poverty levels," Hutchinson said. "Many of these families have no access to healthy food options. By expanding their options, Link participants will have access to nutritious food to help shape healthier lifestyles." Currently, farmers markets that perform more than $100 in sales in SNAP benefits are provided with free terminals for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) transactions, but those devices must be in locations with electricity and a phone line in order to operate. House Bill 4756 creates the Farmers Market Technology Improvement Program in which nontraditional fresh food market distributors, such as farmers' markets, Green Carts, market boxes, farm stands and mobile farm stands, produce stands, and other open-air markets, will have access to wireless point-of-sale terminals. This measure will allow further access to fresh products offered by outdoor and traveling farmer’s markets that do not have access to electricity or phone lines. There are almost 300 farmers markets in Illinois that do over $100 million in business a year selling fresh produce. "This bill marries cutting edge technology with one of Illinois’ oldest and most vital industries to bring a new choice to Illinois consumers who may not have had this option," said Randy Wells, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Human Services. "Senator Hutchinson is to be commended for this legislation." Senator Hutchinson also stressed that by providing more options to Link program participants, farmers will also benefit. "Illinois is an agricultural state," Hutchinson said. "This measure will also help Illinois farmers increase their business which will give a boost to the economy." Funding for the terminals will be through Farmers Market Technology Improvement Fund, also created through House Bill 4756, and allocated by the Department of Human Services and Department of Agriculture. Funds will be allocated to purchase and distribute terminals, fees associated with Link transactions and outreach programs to Link participants. 
Springfield, IL— State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D – Olympia Fields) passed legislation out of the Senate this week that would allow Link participants to redeem their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, at nontraditional fresh food markets.
Senator Hutchinson Menu
40th District
Years served: Appointed January 2009
Committee assignments: Agriculture and Conservation; Labor; Local Government; State Government & Veterans Affairs (Vice-Chairperson); Transportation; Committee of the Whole; Trans Subcommittee Special Issues; Subcommittee on Special Issues.
Biography: Full-time state legislator; Born May 20, 1973; Graduated University of Illinois at Urbana with a Bachelor in English; Olympia Fields Village Clerk from 2002-2006; Harvard Kennedy School of Government Executive Management Program; Women and Power, 2004; Former Chief of Staff to State Senator Debbie Halvorson; Lives in Olympia Fields with husband, Paul, and 3 children.