OH HB543

Creates a food desert elimination grant program administered by the Ohio Department of Development to incentivize grocery stores to open in areas with limited access to healthy food, as identified by the USDA Food Access Research Atlas

Caps individual grocery retailer grants at $15,000 per fiscal year

Requires grant applicants to sell or propose to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, shelf-stable items, and other healthful foods, and to locate in a designated food desert

Mandates quarterly reports from grant recipients including funds received, health impact data, and other information for program evaluation

Appropriates $200,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund the program