FL S1592

Establishes the Healthy Food Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to provide assistance to small food retailers (stores under 3,000 square feet) in low-income and moderate-income communities to increase sales of fresh produce and healthy foods.

Requires small food retailers receiving assistance to be located in low-income or moderate-income census tracts and must accept or agree to accept SNAP and WIC benefits.

Permits use of program funds for equipment up to $7,500 per retailer, initial healthy food purchases up to $2,000 per retailer, and nutrition education materials.

Project administrators must be not-for-profit entities with demonstrated experience in healthy food retail strategies and may use up to 10 percent of distributed funds for administrative costs.

Mandates the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability conduct an independent study evaluating the program's policy impact; program repeals June 30, 2020 unless reenacted by the Legislature.