Louisiana HB1222 establishes the Grocery Initiative to provide grants and financial support to grocery stores in food deserts.

Louisiana HB1222 creates the Grocery Initiative, administered by the Louisiana Economic Development (LED), to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts. The bill defines "food desert" and "grocery store," and allows LED to provide grants for market feasibility studies, salaries, rent, capital improvements, and equipment upgrades. LED can also provide technical assistance for business planning, marketing, and workforce development. The bill mandates a study on food insecurity in urban and rural food deserts, with a report due by December 31, 2027.

Louisiana HB1222 establishes the Grocery Initiative to provide grants and financial support to grocery stores in food deserts.

Louisiana HB1222 creates the Grocery Initiative, administered by the Louisiana Economic Development (LED), to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts. The bill defines "food desert" and "grocery store," and allows LED to provide grants for market feasibility studies, salaries, rent, capital improvements, and equipment upgrades. LED can also provide technical assistance for business planning, marketing, and workforce development. The bill mandates a study on food insecurity in urban and rural food deserts, with a report due by December 31, 2027.