119th Congress · introduced in the House · Jan 16, 2025
Food Deserts Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Feb 14, 2025): Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Agriculture and Food
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Jan 16, 2025)
Food Deserts Act
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.
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.
Show less of the summaryIncludes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E41)
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
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
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Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 24, 2026.
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