The Arkansas Healthy Food Retail Act of 2023 aims to enhance access to healthy food options in underserved communities by providing financial incentives to healthy food retailers. The Act establishes a new subchapter in Arkansas law, which outlines the legislative findings that highlight the barriers faced by low-income families, children, and the elderly in accessing fresh produce and healthy foods. It recognizes the high rates of obesity in Arkansas and the need for improved access to healthy food retailers as a strategy to combat this issue. The Act intends to create a reliable source of financing for healthy food retailers, promote the sale of fresh produce, and support economic opportunities in low-income and rural areas.

The Act establishes the Healthy Food Retailer Program, managed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, which will provide funding through grants and loans to eligible healthy food retailers. The program will focus on projects that improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables, including the construction of new retailers, renovations, and the establishment of farmers' markets. Applicants for funding must demonstrate a commitment to selling fresh produce and may include various types of entities, such as sole proprietorships and nonprofit organizations. The commission will evaluate applicants based on their capacity to implement projects, the level of need in the community, and the potential impact on local job creation and access to healthy food.