Charleston Leader

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Mark R. Warner, Jerry Moran, and Chris Van Hollen have proposed a bill aimed at addressing food deserts and enhancing access to nutritious food. This legislation, named the Healthy Food Access for All Americans (HFAAA) Act, is also being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Emilia Sykes and Jennifer McLellan.

The bill seeks to improve accessibility to healthy food in underserved regions by incentivizing food providers. Senator Capito stated, “Many West Virginians struggle to access fresh, nutritious food to keep their families and communities well fed. I’m proud to reintroduce the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act, which will expand access to healthy foods through food banks and local grocery stores in rural communities across West Virginia and the nation.”

The USDA classifies about 18.8 million Americans as living in food deserts—urban locales without a grocery store within a mile, and rural ones without a grocery store within ten miles. These areas are linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease due to limited access to healthy food.

The act defines a grocery market as a retail outlet with at least 35% of its stock dedicated to fresh produce, poultry, dairy, and deli products. The bill focuses on communities with a poverty rate of 20% or higher, or a median family income less than 80% of the area's median.

To motivate food providers, the proposed legislation offers tax credits and grants. Incentives include a 15% tax credit for new store construction in food deserts, and a 10% tax credit for retrofitting existing stores to become Special Access Food Providers (SAFP). Moreover, certified food banks building in these areas may receive grants covering 15% of construction costs, while temporary access merchants could attain 10% of their operating costs through grants.

The initiative is backed by organizations such as Feeding America, the National Grocers Association, and Share Our Strength. Details of the bill text can be accessed for further information.