The bill amends the Healthy Food Retail Act to enhance the financing program aimed at increasing access to healthy food in underserved communities. It establishes that the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will create a financing program that provides grants and loans to healthy food retailers. The language has been updated to clarify that the department "shall" contract with qualified nonprofit organizations or community development financial institutions to administer the program, rather than having the option to do so. This change emphasizes the department's commitment to collaborating with these entities to effectively manage the program.

Additionally, the bill specifies that funding for eligible projects will be provided on a competitive basis, removing the previous stipulation that funding would be a "one-time" allocation. This change allows for ongoing support for projects that meet the program's criteria, thereby potentially increasing the number of healthy food retailers in underserved areas. Overall, the amendments aim to strengthen the program's framework and ensure a more robust approach to improving access to healthy food options.

Statutes affected:
SB287 Original: 3:296(D)(1)
SB287 Engrossed: 3:296(D)(1)
SB287 Enrolled: 3:296(D)(1)