HB 1645 Summary

• Creates the Arkansas Healthy Food Retail Act of 2023 establishing a Healthy Food Retailer Program managed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to provide grants and loans to healthy food retailers in underserved communities.

• Defines eligible retailers as for-profit or nonprofit entities selling fresh produce at competitive prices, including supermarkets, grocery stores, and farmers' markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits or meet alternative affordability standards.

• Authorizes funding for construction of new retailers, store renovations, farmers' markets, mobile markets, equipment, workforce training, site preparation, and working capital; excludes restaurants from eligibility.

• Requires the commission to evaluate applicants based on capacity to implement projects, ability to repay debt, community need, promotion of Arkansas-grown produce, job creation, and economic sustainability.

• Mandates the commission establish program benchmarks, monitoring mechanisms, and submit annual reports to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee on funded projects and outcomes.