Providing for the Fresh Food Financing Initiative; establishing the Fresh Food Financing Initiative Restricted Account; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture.
Impact
The Fresh Food Financing Initiative is expected to significantly impact state laws regarding food access and agricultural development. By creating a restricted account dedicated to this program, the bill ensures dedicated funding can be provided for initiatives that improve food availability in areas identified as food deserts. Eligibility for grants emphasizes projects that serve BIPOC communities and those that promote supplier diversity, signaling a strong commitment to addressing equity within food access and economic opportunities.
Summary
House Bill 764 establishes the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, aimed at increasing access to fresh and nutritious food across the state, particularly in underserved and low-income communities. The bill's main objective is to stimulate local food systems by providing grants for the construction, rehabilitation, or expansion of grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other retail food establishments. The initiative intends to enhance economic vitality and job creation while promoting the consumption of locally sourced agricultural products.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around HB764 is positive, with support mainly coming from legislators concerned about food equity and health disparities within disadvantaged communities. Advocates highlight the importance of ensuring that fresh produce and nutritious options are readily available to all residents, particularly those living in poverty. However, some opposition may arise regarding the allocation of funds and management of grant applications by the Department of Agriculture, given concerns over bureaucratic inefficiencies or potential favoritism in project selection.
Contention
Notable points of contention include how effectively the program can assess community needs and the metrics by which success will be evaluated. Critics may question whether the selected criteria for prioritizing grants adequately address the complexities of food access issues across different regions. Furthermore, the requirement for public-private matching funds could limit participation from smaller entities that may struggle to secure additional financial backing, potentially undermining the initiative's goal of increasing food access.
Providing for the Fresh Food Financing Initiative; establishing the Fresh Food Financing Initiative Restricted Account; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture.
Establishing the Keystone Fresh Program; providing for the Fresh Schools Grant Program, for the Keystone Producer Grant Program, for the Keystone Assistance Grant Program and for the administration of the Keystone Fresh Program by the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture; and establishing the Keystone Fresh Fund.
Providing for food desert opportunity zones and for food desert opportunity zone tax credits; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Revenue.
Establishing the hauler or broker of food processing residuals certification program; providing for the transportation of food processing residuals; imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture and the State Conservation Commission; and imposing penalties.
In Pennsylvania Preferred® Trademark, further providing for definitions, for Pennsylvania Preferred® trademark, for licensee qualification, for duties and authority of department, for trademark license agreement, application and licensure process, for costs, for Pennsylvania Preferred® Trademark Licensing Fund, for injunctive relief, for rules and regulations and for purpose, repealing provisions relating to definitions and further providing for qualified veterans and qualified veteran business entities.
Establishing the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission and the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Fund; imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development; providing for the Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program;
Establishing the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission and the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Account; imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development; and making an editorial change.