FL S0852

Establishes the Healthy Foods Retail Act to create a financing program through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services providing grants, loans, or combinations thereof to healthy food retailers in underserved communities.

Authorizes the department to contract with nonprofit organizations or community development financial institutions to administer the program, raise matching funds, evaluate applicants, and monitor compliance.

Eligible projects include new supermarket and grocery store construction, store renovations and expansions, farmers' markets, food cooperatives, mobile markets, and other projects that increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved areas.

Funding may be used for site acquisition, construction costs, equipment, workforce training, security, predevelopment costs, and working capital, but restaurants are not eligible for funding.

Requires applicants to demonstrate commitment to selling fresh fruits and vegetables, generally accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program vouchers and WIC benefits, and have projects located in underserved communities; department must submit annual reports to the Legislature on funded projects.