IL SB2923

Illinois Department of Agriculture required to establish and operate an access to nutritious food program targeting food deserts, focusing on fresh food distribution and nutrition education

"Food desert" defined as areas where at least 25% of households are below federal poverty level, or median family income is 80% or less of state median

Geographic criteria include areas where at least 500 residents or 33% of the population live more than 1 mile (urban/metropolitan) or 10 miles (nonmetropolitan) from a supermarket or large grocery store

Department must promote sharing of best practices and effective strategies for improving food distribution and nutrition education

Annual meeting required to convene nonprofit organizations and stakeholders to share information on successful food access programs