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HR 3104 115th Congress House Agriculture and Food Agricultural marketing and promotion Drug, alcohol, tobacco use Employee hiring Food assistance and relief Fruit and vegetables Government lending and loan guarantees Health promotion and preventive care Inflation and prices Nutrition and diet Poverty and welfare assistance Retail and wholesale trades Urban and suburban affairs and development

Food Deserts Act of 2017

Introduced: June 29, 2017 Introduced by: Carson, André Democratic · Indiana See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 24, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.
Jun 29, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jun 29, 2017
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E928)
Jun 29, 2017
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Food Deserts Act of 2017

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. 
What's happening now July 24, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2