Food Deserts Act

Food Deserts Act This bill establishes a Department of Agriculture program to provide grants to states for revolving funds to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities.An underserved community is a community that has (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate.States must use the funds to make loans to support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting or purchasing an existing store.States may only make loans for grocery stores that meet requirements related toemphasizing unprocessed, healthful foods;providing staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables;having a plan to keep the foods in stock;charging affordable prices at or below market values;meeting specified matching requirements using nonfederal funds; andbeing qualified to operate a store or having partnerships with organizations that provide technical assistance.States must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related tohiring workers from the underserved community,providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet,sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, anddemonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.