Bill Overview
Title: Food Deserts Act
Description: This bill establishes a Department of Agriculture program to provide grants to states for revolving funds to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. An underserved community is a community that has (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger or food insecurity or a high poverty rate. States must use the funds to make loans to support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting or purchasing an existing store. States may only make loans for grocery stores that meet requirements related to emphasizing unprocessed, healthful foods; providing staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; having a plan to keep the foods in stock; charging affordable prices at or below market averages; meeting specified matching requirements using nonfederal funds; and being qualified to operate a store or having partnerships with organizations that provide technical assistance. States must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to hiring workers from the underserved community, providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet, sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, or demonstrating existing supply chain relationships or expertise in the grocery industry.
Sponsors: Rep. Carson, Andre [D-IN-7]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in food deserts and underserved communities lacking access to healthy food
Estimated Size: 19000000
- Food deserts impact a significant portion of low-income and poverty-stricken communities, where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited.
- The USDA defines a food desert as an area where at least 33% of the residents are further than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) away from a grocery store.
- Approximately 23.5 million people live in food deserts according to Food Empowerment Project data, which significantly overlaps with the regions the bill intends to support.
- Given the focus on underserved communities with limited access and high food insecurity, the population primarily impacted includes low-income families, minorities, and individuals residing in both rural and urban areas without easy access to healthy food.
- The global number of people impacted should consider similar metrics worldwide, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization's data on food security.
Reasoning
- Approximately 19 million people in the US live in food deserts, primarily affecting low-income and poverty-stricken communities.
- Food deserts occur in both urban and rural settings where there is limited access to affordable, healthy foods.
- With a $500 million budget in year 1 and a $4.55 billion budget over 10 years, the project aims to develop grocery stores prioritizing healthful food options.
- The Act focuses on underserved communities, impacting both families and individuals who struggle with food insecurity.
- Wellbeing improvements are driven by better access to healthy food options, impacting health and economic opportunity.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Detroit, MI)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could alleviate the struggle of accessing affordable healthy food.
- This could mean healthier meals for my children and reduced health concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Freelancer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional grocery stores could make a significant difference in food variety.
- I hope this encourages healthier eating habits in the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired (Rural Alabama)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I struggle with the distance to the nearest store, which affects my diet.
- Having a closer store could improve my quality of life significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could help my cafe by ensuring consistent supply through local stores.
- Community health should improve with better food access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Nurse (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving access to healthy food could reduce some of the health issues I see daily.
- Community education on diet could further enhance benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Unemployed (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An increase in local grocery stores could provide job opportunities.
- Access to fresh food should enhance my diet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to more affordable grocery options would ease my financial strain.
- I hope the policy supports healthier choices in my area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Warehouse Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An increase in grocery stores with fresh food could improve my health.
- I strongly support initiatives that can lower food costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Homemaker (Appalachia, WV)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might lower food costs, easing our budget constraints.
- I hope it leads to healthier food availability in nearby stores.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Bus Driver (Jackson, MS)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could improve family meals by providing more diverse food options.
- Fresh produce could mean less reliance on processed foods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $550000000)
Year 3: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $550000000)
Year 5: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $550000000)
Year 10: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $550000000)
Year 100: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $550000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial program setup and state coordination logistics may initially slow down impact.
- Long-term financial sustainability of the stores is crucial to maintain program benefits.
- State participation and compliance with the federal guidelines will affect program efficacy and reach.
- Level of local participation and adaptation to community needs will determine the program's success in reducing food deserts.