Bill > HB543

This bill establishes a food desert elimination grant program to help improve access to healthy foods in areas with limited grocery options. The bill defines a "food desert" as a geographic area where residents have restricted access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods, as identified by the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Access Research Atlas. The Department of Development will administer the program, offering grants to grocery retailers who either sell or plan to sell fresh produce, shelf-stable items, and other healthy foods in designated food desert areas. Each grocery retailer can receive up to $15,000 in grants per fiscal year. To apply, retailers must submit documentation proving their location in a food desert and their intention to provide healthy food options. Grant recipients will be required to submit quarterly reports to the department detailing the use of state funds, the program's health impact, and other information necessary for program evaluation. The bill also appropriates $200,000 from the General Revenue Fund over fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the program's implementation and operations.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb543