FL H0153

Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish a Healthy Food Financing Initiative program providing grants, loans, tax credits, and other financial assistance to rehabilitate or expand independent grocery stores, supermarkets, and community facilities in underserved, low-income communities lacking access to full-service grocery options.

Defines "independent grocery store or supermarket" as one whose parent company owns no more than 40 stores nationally, and requires funded stores to accept SNAP and WIC benefits, allocate at least 30 percent of food retail space to perishable foods, and promote hiring of local residents for at least 5 years.

Authorizes the department to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations or Florida-based federally certified community development financial institutions to administer the program through a public-private partnership, including creation of a revolving loan fund.

Requires the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to review the program after 7 years, including health impacts related to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity-related diseases; if the program is found unsuccessful, unused funds must be returned to initial investors.

Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring General Revenue funds for fiscal year 2016-2017, with distribution limited to no more than $500,000 among no more than three recipients, effective July 1, 2016.