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118th Congress Agriculture and Food

H.R. 1230: Food Deserts Act

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)Feb 28, 2023
  2. Passed House (not reached)
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Feb 28, 2023

This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Agriculture to reduce food deserts. Under the program, grants are provided to states for revolving funds that support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. Underserved communities are communities that have (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.

The bill requires states to use such funds for loans that support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting an existing store.

In order to qualify for loans, grocery stores must meet criteria enumerated in the bill. For example, grocery stores must (1) emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods; (2) provide staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; and (3) charge affordable prices at or below market values.

Read the full summary

Further, 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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

78

Who scored on this bill

12 points earned
  1. 1André Carson D-IN SponsorReached a cosponsor milestone, introduced3 events+12
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

History

  1. Feb 28, 2023Introduced in the House by André Carson.
Show the full action history (4 actions)
  1. Mar 22, 2023Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
  2. Feb 28, 2023Introduced in House
  3. Feb 28, 2023Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E163-164)
  4. Feb 28, 2023Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.