Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Food Deserts Act" establishes a program under the Secretary of Agriculture to combat food deserts by increasing access to grocery stores in underserved communities. This program provides capitalization grants to States, which are then required to establish and administer revolving funds. These funds are specifically designed to offer loans for the purpose of establishing and operating grocery stores in areas identified as underserved, though new construction is not an eligible use of funds. States will use these revolving funds to make loans to eligible grocery stores that emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods , provide a variety of fruits, vegetables, and staple foods, and charge affordable prices. Priority is given to stores that hire local residents, offer nutrition education, and source food from local farms. Loans are provided at or below market interest rates, potentially interest-free, for terms up to 30 years, with a maximum of 10 percent of the fund's annual availability per participant. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out these provisions.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
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
USA119th CongressHR-484| House
| Updated: 2/14/2025
The "Food Deserts Act" establishes a program under the Secretary of Agriculture to combat food deserts by increasing access to grocery stores in underserved communities. This program provides capitalization grants to States, which are then required to establish and administer revolving funds. These funds are specifically designed to offer loans for the purpose of establishing and operating grocery stores in areas identified as underserved, though new construction is not an eligible use of funds. States will use these revolving funds to make loans to eligible grocery stores that emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods , provide a variety of fruits, vegetables, and staple foods, and charge affordable prices. Priority is given to stores that hire local residents, offer nutrition education, and source food from local farms. Loans are provided at or below market interest rates, potentially interest-free, for terms up to 30 years, with a maximum of 10 percent of the fund's annual availability per participant. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out these provisions.
Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, 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