Legislative wins and losses for 2025

The Washington State Legislature made meaningful progress on key food and climate priorities in its recent session, PCC Purpose Director Mike Wenrick said in a PCC member email, while the co-op was also able to support national efforts to build a more equitable, sustainable food system. 

In the state legislature, Wenrick highlighted these wins in food access, recycling reform and climate action:

• $93.25 million will strengthen food banks and pantries statewide through WSDA’s Food Assistance Programs.
• $6 million will continue fruit and vegetable incentives, helping families afford healthy, fresh produce. 
• $11.83 million in ongoing funding will support SUN Bucks, ensuring kids who rely on school meals don’t go hungry during the summer.

Legislators also passed two major environmental bills: 

• HB 1462 will help Washington phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),super-potent climate pollutants, and transition to safer refrigerants, like those PCC already uses in several stores. PCC’s advocacy efforts were key to the bills passage, Wenrick said.  He and PCC quality standards manager Rebecca Robinson both testified in support of the bill.
• The Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284 / HB 1150) will modernize our state’s recycling system by holding producers accountable for packaging waste, improving access to recycling, and reducing plastic pollution.

However, HB 1404 / SB 5352, which would have provided free school meals for all students, did not pass. “This is a missed opportunity to reduce stigma and support families facing food insecurity. We will continue advocating for universal school meals in future sessions,” Wenrick said in the email.

At a national level, Wenrick joined the National Organic Coalition (NOC) Fly-In to Washington, D.C., alongside Sam Lucy of Bluebird Grain Farms in the Methow Valley. Together, they met with 11 congressional offices to advocate for organic policy and rural resilience.

“Thanks to this direct advocacy, several lawmakers expressed support for the Honor Farmer Contracts Act and efforts to protect the integrity of the USDA Organic label,” he wrote.