Reps. Sykes, McClellan Introduce Bill To Improve Access To Healthy Foods, Eliminate Food Deserts
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) introduced the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act (HFAAA). This legislation would provide incentives to food providers to expand access to healthy foods in underserved communities and reduce the number of food deserts nationwide.
“No American should be denied access to healthy, nutritious foods simply because of the zip code they live in. The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act would encourage food providers to establish grocery stores, food banks, and farmers markets in traditionally underserved communities to help ensure all Americans, no matter where they live, can put fresh, affordable food on the table,” said Rep. Sykes. “This commonsense legislation will combat food insecurity in our communities and ensure families and children have the nutritious, healthy food they need to thrive.”
Currently, an estimated 39 million Americans live in what the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) classifies as a food desert – not living within a mile of a grocery store in urban communities or 10 miles of a grocery store in rural areas. The lack of healthy food options has devastating effects on the health of communities, leading to higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Ohio has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country. 1,391,290 people in Ohio are food insecure, 386,430 of which are children.
“Food deserts pose significant challenges to Virginians in my district, who struggle to access healthy foods close to home. As a mother to two young children, I am fighting to promote food equity, because we know our children’s social and academic success is contingent upon a balanced diet. The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act will help ensure everyone in our country can access healthy, affordable foods, regardless of their socioeconomic status or zip code. This legislation will help families meet their needs, support healthy lifestyles, and achieve better health outcomes,” said Rep. McClellan.
The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act, which defines a grocery market as a retail sales store with at least 35 percent of its selection (or forecasted selection) dedicated to selling fresh produce, poultry, dairy, and deli items – would encourage investment in food deserts across the country that have a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher, or a median family income of less than 80 percent of the median for the state or metro area.
It would grant tax credits or grants to food providers who service low-access communities and attain a “Special Access Food Provider” (SAFP) certification through the Treasury Department. Incentives would be awarded based on the following structure:
- New Store Construction – Companies that construct new grocery stores in a food desert will receive a one-time 15 percent tax credit after receiving certification.
- Retrofitting Existing Structures – Companies that make retrofits to an existing store’s healthy food sections can receive a one-time 10 percent tax credit after the repairs certify the store as an SAFP.
- Food Banks – Certified food banks that build new (permanent) structures in food deserts will be eligible to receive a one-time grant for 15 percent of their construction costs.
- Temporary Access Merchants – Certified temporary access merchants (i.e. mobile markets, farmers markets, and some food banks) that are 501(c)(3)s will receive grants for 10 percent of their annual operating costs.
Rep. Sykes is a longtime advocate for combating food insecurity in Northeast Ohio. In July 2023, Rep. Sykes hosted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Representative Shontel Brown (OH-11) for a tour and roundtable discussion with local stakeholders at Akron Children’s Hospital, which operates the Food Farmacy, a wellness garden and food pantry offering patients and families access to fresh produce. The program aims to increase access to healthy food and medical care for Medicaid recipients and their families and helps provide comprehensive medical, nutrition and lifestyle support for food-insecure patients diagnosed with obesity chronic conditions. While Ohio House Minority Leader, Rep. Sykes played a key role in the passage of the FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 state budgets amendments that funded the Food Farmacy pilot program.