Existing law creates the Council on Food Security within the Department of Health and Human Services which is charged with various duties relating to food security. (NRS 232.4966, 232.4968) Section 3 of this bill requires the Department, in coordination with the Council, to establish and administer the Grocery Initiative to award grants of money and provide technical assistance and other information to certain grocery stores in this State to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts and areas at risk of becoming food deserts. To the extent money is available, section 3 requires the Department to award grants of money to certain grocery stores for certain purposes. Section 5 of this bill requires the Department, to the extent money is available, to: (1) provide technical assistance to any grocery store awarded a grant of money from the Grocery Initiative and other small, independent grocery stores in this State; and (2) make certain information and materials available on the Internet website of the Department to assist the growth and development of grantees and other grocery stores in this State. Section 5 authorizes the Department to apply for and accept gifts, grants, donations and contributions to carry out its duties pursuant to the provisions of sections 2-5. Section 4 of this bill sets forth certain requirements for a grocery store to be eligible to receive assistance from the Grocery Initiative. Section 2 of this bill defines “food desert” for the purposes of sections 3 and 5 and the provisions of existing law relating to the Department. Section 6 of this bill applies certain definitions in existing law relating to the Department to the provisions of sections 2-5. Section 7 of this bill requires the Council to research and develop recommendations relating to food insecurity in urban and rural food deserts in this State. Section 9 of this bill requires the Council to submit a written report to the 84th Session of the Legislature summarizing this research and recommendations. Section 8 of this bill appropriates $10,000,000 to the Department for the Grocery Initiative to award grants of money and provide technical assistance and other information to grocery stores in this State pursuant to sections 3 and 5.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 232.290, 232.4968
Reprint 1: 232.290, 232.4968
BDR: 232.290, 232.4968