H.R.484 - Food Deserts Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 484, the Food Deserts Act, aims to combat food insecurity by directing the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to states. These grants will be used to establish and operate grocery stores in underserved communities. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $150 million for fiscal year 2026 to carry out these provisions.
The act focuses on providing access to healthy foods, supporting existing grocery stores, and ensuring affordability. It also includes criteria for eligible grocery stores, such as emphasizing unprocessed foods and providing a variety of fruits and vegetables.
By creating revolving funds at the state level, the bill seeks to establish a sustainable mechanism for addressing food deserts. The funds will be used to provide loans to grocery stores, with priority given to entities that hire local workers and source food from local farms.
Expected Effects
The Food Deserts Act is likely to increase the availability of fresh and healthy food in underserved communities. This will be achieved by providing financial support for the establishment and operation of grocery stores.
States will administer revolving loan funds, offering financial assistance to grocery stores that meet specific criteria. The act also encourages local hiring and sourcing, potentially boosting local economies.
Ultimately, the act aims to improve public health outcomes and reduce food insecurity in areas where access to nutritious food is limited.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Access to Healthy Food: Increases the availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods in underserved communities.
- Economic Development: Supports the establishment and operation of grocery stores, creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
- Community Empowerment: Prioritizes hiring workers from within the underserved communities, fostering local employment.
- Support for Local Agriculture: Encourages grocery stores to source food from local urban farms and gardens, benefiting local farmers.
- Long-Term Sustainability: Establishes revolving funds at the state level, creating a sustainable mechanism for addressing food deserts.
Potential Disadvantages
- Administrative Overhead: States will incur administrative costs to manage the revolving funds, potentially reducing the amount available for loans.
- Limited Funding: The authorized appropriation of $150 million may not be sufficient to address all food deserts across the United States.
- Potential for Mismanagement: There is a risk that states may mismanage the revolving funds, leading to inefficient use of resources.
- Eligibility Requirements: Strict eligibility requirements for grocery stores may exclude some businesses from receiving assistance.
- Dependency: Communities may become dependent on the grant program, hindering long-term self-sufficiency.
Constitutional Alignment
The Food Deserts Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Preamble). This clause allows Congress to enact legislation that promotes the well-being of the general population.
The act also falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), as it involves the distribution of food and the operation of grocery stores. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this act provides grants to states, which they can choose to accept and administer.
There are no apparent conflicts with individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).