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119-s-1176119th CongressWALLET

Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act

Sponsored By: Senator Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a Special Access Food Provider program that uses targeted tax credits and grants to bring grocery stores and food-distribution services into defined food deserts. It pairs a developer-focused tax credit with grant support for food banks and mobile or temporary markets to encourage investment and regular food access.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for food banks and vendors

If enacted, certified special access food providers could get federal grants. Permanent food banks placed in service could get the smaller of their allocation or 15% of qualified construction expenses. Temporary access merchants could get the smaller of their allocation or 10% of annual operating costs, paid annually for up to 10 years. Grants must be paid within 60 days after the later of application or the relevant service date. Grants would not be treated as taxable income.

New tax credit for grocers

If enacted, the bill would create a Special Access Food Provider tax credit for certified providers. For a new grocery store placed in service you could claim the lesser of your allocation or 15% of the store's tax basis. For a renovation area you could claim the lesser of your allocation or 10% of renovation expenditures. Property basis must be reduced by any credit or grant. If certification requirements are later broken, the IRS could recapture a percentage of the credit during the five-year recapture period.

New program rules and funding

If enacted, the bill would create a Special Access Food Provider program and certification process. The Secretary, with USDA and a regional community entity, would certify each grocery store, food bank, mobile market, and farmers market. Sites must be in a food desert when construction or renovation starts. Farmers markets could not be certified while getting most other USDA grants. The government would make annual allocations and authorize 'such sums as may be necessary'. The Secretary would issue rules to prevent abuse and update the Food Access Research Atlas at least once a year.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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