MS SB2706

Creates the Healthy Food Retail Act, establishing a pilot program administered by the Department of Human Services to provide grants and loans to healthy food retailers in underserved communities across six counties selected by the Department of Health.

Eligible projects include new supermarket construction, store renovations, farmers' markets, food cooperatives, mobile markets, and equipment installation for electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card use; restaurants are excluded.

Applicants must demonstrate commitment to selling fresh fruits and vegetables, generally accept Food Stamps and WIC benefits, and serve underserved communities with limited access to healthy food retailers.

Funding evaluations consider applicant capacity, ability to repay debt, project's need for public investment, promotion of fresh produce sales (especially Mississippi-grown), and positive economic impact including job creation.

Department shall establish program benchmarks, reporting processes, monitoring mechanisms to track produce sales, and submit annual reports to the Legislature; rules for implementation take effect July 1, 2012.