# 119-hr-484: Food Deserts Act

119-hr-484, Food Deserts Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-05).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-484
- As of: 2026-08-05
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-484
- Congress: 119
- Title: Food Deserts Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-01-16
- Sponsor: Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN)
- Cosponsors: 68
- Policy area: Agriculture and Food
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-05

## Summary

**Creates capitalization grants to set up state-run revolving loan funds that finance grocery stores in underserved communities.** The program channels federal money into state funds that lend for store openings or operations and pushes stores to sell healthful foods and hire locally. - Residents and families in qualifying areas could gain more access to fresh fruits, vegetables and staple foods, plus programs that teach about healthful diets and prioritize local hiring and sourcing. - Small grocers and nonprofits can get loans only if they match at least 20% from nonfederal sources and meet grocery-operator criteria; loans must be at or below market rates, may be interest-free for up to 30 years, start repayment within one year, and must be fully amortized by the end of the term. - States receive grants distributed by a formula tied to the underserved population share to capitalize revolving funds that a state instrumentality will run; states may charge up to a 4% administrative fee and cannot make a single loan that exceeds 10% of that year’s available distributions. *Authorizes $150.0 million for fiscal year 2026 to capitalize these state revolving funds.*

## Cosponsors (68)

- Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2] (D-LA), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] (D-IL), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20] (D-FL), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12] (D-NJ), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6] (D-MI), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8] (D-CA), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10] (D-NY), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4] (D-NV), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8] (D-IL), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] (D-CT), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (D-MA), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10] (D-NJ), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1] (D-IN), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15] (D-CA), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3] (D-MI), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9] (D-FL), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1] (D-NM), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] (D-MI), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] (D-CA), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2] (D-HI), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (D-NY), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (D-CA), 2025-01-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (D-NV), 2025-01-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2025-01-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (D-IL), 2025-01-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] (D-PA), 2025-02-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI), 2025-02-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7] (D-MD), 2025-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (D-OH), 2025-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11] (D-VA), 2025-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] (D-MA), 2025-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3] (D-IL), 2025-02-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] (D-OH), 2025-02-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13] (D-IL), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9] (D-TX), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (D-MS), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] (D-NY), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] (D-CA), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1] (D-IL), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16] (D-NY), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7] (D-CO), 2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] (D-WA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1] (D-MO), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2025-04-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] (D-NY), 2025-04-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] (D-AL), 2025-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37] (D-TX), 2025-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5] (D-MO), 2025-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA), 2025-08-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] (D-TX), 2025-08-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6] (D-LA), 2025-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2025-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] (D-TX), 2025-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30] (D-TX), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11] (D-VA), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32] (D-TX), 2025-12-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26] (D-NY), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Grants to states for grocery access: benefit, high. The bill would let USDA give states money to set up revolving funds for grocery stores in underserved areas. Funds would be split by each state’s share of the underserved population. States would have to deposit the money into a revolving fund, run a loan process, and follow program rules. The bill…
- USDA help for store operations: benefit, low. If enacted, USDA would give technical help to participating stores. Help would cover food sourcing, storage, and other operations. This is support, not cash, and is meant to help keep healthy food available.
- Up to 4% loan fee for stores: cost, medium. States would be allowed to charge a one‑time administrative fee up to 4% of the loan. For example, a $100,000 loan could have a $4,000 fee. States would have to use the fees to run the revolving fund and its administration.
- Low-cost state loans for grocery stores: mixed, high. This bill would let states offer low‑cost loans to open or run grocery stores in underserved areas. Loans could not pay for new construction to open a store, and borrowers would need at least a 20% non‑Federal match. Stores would need to focus on healthy foods, stock produce and staples, and keep p…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-15: Equality Act
- 119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025
- 119-hr-2763: American Family Act
- 119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-484 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/484)

## Related
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-15: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-15)
- [119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1589)
- [119-hr-2763: American Family Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2763)
- [119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-17)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-484 (as of 2026-08-05).