This bill establishes a grocer reinvestment program, a local produce processing grant program, and a grocer reinvestment and local food processing fund, all under the oversight of the economic development authority. The grocer reinvestment program aims to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible grocery stores for various projects, including capital improvements, utility upgrades, and technology enhancements. To qualify for assistance, grocery stores must meet specific criteria, including organizational structure and sustainability plans, and must provide matching funds equal to the grant amount, which cannot exceed $200,000. Priority will be given to projects in underserved communities that serve low or moderate-income residents and that support local food procurement.

Additionally, the bill creates a local produce processing grant program to support Iowa-based entities in increasing the availability and efficiency of local produce processing, with a focus on using produce from multiple Iowa farms. A new fund will be established to facilitate these programs, with a minimum of $100,000 or 10% of the fund's total allocated annually to the local produce processing program starting in FY 2025. The bill also modifies the local food and farm program to include grocery stores in its objectives and appropriates $2 million for each of the next two fiscal years to support these initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15.413, 267A.1, 267A.2