To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to States to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities, and for other purposes.
Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Food Deserts Act of 201 7 This bill establishes a Department of Agriculture program to provide grants to states for revolving funds to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. An underserved community is a community that has (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate. States must use the funds to make loans to support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), supporting or purchasing an existing store, or supporting a store located in a community that would be underserved without the store. States may only make loans for grocery stores that meet requirements related to: emphasizing unprocessed, healthful foods; providing staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; having a plan to keep the foods in stock; charging prices at or below market averages; meeting specified matching requirements using nonfederal funds; and being qualified to operate a store or having partnerships with organizations that provide technical assistance. States must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to: hiring workers from the underserved community, providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet, sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, not selling alcohol or tobacco products, or demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E928)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E928)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.
Agriculture and Food
Agricultural marketing and promotionDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEmployee hiringFood assistance and reliefFruit and vegetablesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesHealth promotion and preventive careInflation and pricesNutrition and dietPoverty and welfare assistanceRetail and wholesale tradesUrban and suburban affairs and development
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to States to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities, and for other purposes.
USA115th CongressHR-3104| House
| Updated: 7/24/2017
Food Deserts Act of 201 7 This bill establishes a Department of Agriculture program to provide grants to states for revolving funds to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. An underserved community is a community that has (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate. States must use the funds to make loans to support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), supporting or purchasing an existing store, or supporting a store located in a community that would be underserved without the store. States may only make loans for grocery stores that meet requirements related to: emphasizing unprocessed, healthful foods; providing staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; having a plan to keep the foods in stock; charging prices at or below market averages; meeting specified matching requirements using nonfederal funds; and being qualified to operate a store or having partnerships with organizations that provide technical assistance. States must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to: hiring workers from the underserved community, providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet, sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, not selling alcohol or tobacco products, or demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.
Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee
Agriculture and Food
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Agricultural marketing and promotionDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEmployee hiringFood assistance and reliefFruit and vegetablesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesHealth promotion and preventive careInflation and pricesNutrition and dietPoverty and welfare assistanceRetail and wholesale tradesUrban and suburban affairs and development