Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Food Deserts Act 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), or supporting or purchasing an existing 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 affordable prices at or below market values; 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, and demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (E1121-1122)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
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
Food Deserts Act
USA117th CongressHR-9281| House
| Updated: 11/29/2022
Food Deserts Act 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), or supporting or purchasing an existing 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 affordable prices at or below market values; 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, and 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