FL S0760

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall establish a Healthy Food Financing Initiative program to provide federal, state, and private loans or grants for construction, rehabilitation, or expansion of independent grocery stores and supermarkets in underserved low-income and moderate-income communities.

Department may contract with qualified nonprofit organizations or federally certified community development financial institutions to administer the program and manage a revolving loan fund.

Eligible projects must be located in underserved communities, primarily serve low-income or moderate-income populations, and include new construction, renovation, or expansion of independent grocery stores, supermarkets, or community facilities.

Applicants must agree for at least 5 years to accept SNAP and WIC benefits, allocate at least 30 percent of retail space to perishable foods, and promote hiring of local residents; corner stores and nontraditional grocers may qualify for funding focused on refrigeration and fresh food sales infrastructure.

Department shall submit annual reports to the Legislature on funded projects, geographic distribution, program costs, and outcomes including job creation and health initiatives; implementation is contingent upon legislative appropriation.