House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to enhance the Healthy Food Retail Act by expanding the healthy food financing program to improve access to affordable fresh food in underserved communities and food deserts across Louisiana. The bill mandates the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) to identify and map food deserts, develop a ten-year elimination plan with benchmarks, and prioritize funding for projects that increase access to affordable fresh food. The bill also introduces new definitions, including "food desert," and modifies existing provisions to include related food access projects, allowing for a broader range of initiatives to receive funding.

Key provisions of the bill include the requirement for the LDAF to conduct a statewide study to identify food deserts within 90 days of the bill's effective date and to publish a comprehensive elimination plan within 18 months. The LDAF will also be responsible for administering grants and a revolving loan fund to support healthy food retailers and related projects. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of community demand, implementation capacity, and long-term sustainability in project funding decisions. Annual reporting on project outcomes and recommendations for statutory or budgetary changes is also mandated to ensure transparency and accountability in the program's implementation.

Statutes affected:
HB1194 Original: 3:296(B)(4)