NC H789

Creates the Office of Food Business Development within the Department of Commerce to improve access to nutrient-dense foods and coordinate between farming/agricultural industries and food businesses.

Establishes the Access to Healthy Food Financing Fund to provide traditional loans, grants, and forgivable loans for food businesses to open, renovate, or expand in low-income and underserved communities.

Defines eligible food businesses as establishments of 5,000+ square feet primarily selling food for off-premises consumption, located in areas with low food access or low income as determined by USDA criteria.

Requires food businesses receiving funding to accept SNAP and WIC benefits, allocate at least 30% of retail space to perishable foods (produce, dairy, fresh meats/fish), give hiring priority to local residents, and comply with data collection and food safety requirements for at least 5 years.

Mandates annual reporting on funded projects, geographic distribution, job creation, private fund leveraging, and the number of persons gaining access to food businesses as a result of the program.