H.R. 484 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Jan 16, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryGrants bring grocery stores to food deserts
Ever noticed how some neighborhoods don't have easy access to fresh, healthy food. This bill creates a grant program through the Department of Agriculture that gives money to states. States use that money to offer loans to grocery stores that want to open or stay open in underserved communities—places where people struggle to find affordable fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods.
How it affects you
If you live in an underserved community with limited access to affordable groceries, this could mean a grocery store opens or expands near you, giving you better access to fresh produce and healthier food options. The bill encourages stores that hire local workers and teach nutrition classes, so the benefit extends beyond just having a store nearby.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 16, 2025)
Food Deserts Act
This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Agriculture to reduce food deserts. Under the program, grants are provided to states for revolving funds that support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. Underserved communities are communities that have (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, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate.
The bill requires states to use such funds for loans that support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting an existing store.
In order to qualify for loans, grocery stores must meet criteria enumerated in the bill. For example, grocery stores must (1) emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods; (2) provide staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; and (3) charge affordable prices at or below market values.
Further, 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, and
• demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 484
A BILL
Food Deserts Act
Sponsor: Rep. André Carson (D-IN-7) · Introduced Jan 16, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 14, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.”