Food Deserts Act of 2017

Summary

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. 

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 29 June 2017

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 29 June 2017

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E928)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 29 June 2017

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 29 June 2017

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 24 July 2017

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 29 June 2017 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 29 June 2017

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 29 June 2017

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 29 June 2017

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] · D · Sponsor
• Alan Lowenthal · D · Cosponsor
• · hsag00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Food Deserts Act of 2020