(a) The General Assembly finds that:(1) When fresh produce and other healthy foods are not readily available or affordable, people, particularly low-income families, children, and the elderly, face serious barriers to eating a healthy diet;(2) Research in Arkansas and the nation shows that residents of low-income, minority, and rural communities are most often affected by high rates of obesity and poor access to supermarkets and other healthy food retailers;(3) Obesity, which frequently results from poor diet and physical inactivity, is America's fastest-growing cause of disease and death;(4) Arkansas has one of the highest rates of obesity nationwide, putting growing numbers of Arkansas adults and children at risk for developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and other health problems;(5) Increasing access to retail food outlets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food is an essential strategy for fighting the obesity epidemic and improving health;(6) Studies have shown that people with better access to supermarkets and fresh produce tend to have healthier diets and lower levels of obesity; and(7) Developing quality retail food outlets also creates jobs, expands markets for Arkansas farmers, and supports economic vitality in underserved communities.
(1) When fresh produce and other healthy foods are not readily available or affordable, people, particularly low-income families, children, and the elderly, face serious barriers to eating a healthy diet;
(2) Research in Arkansas and the nation shows that residents of low-income, minority, and rural communities are most often affected by high rates of obesity and poor access to supermarkets and other healthy food retailers;
(3) Obesity, which frequently results from poor diet and physical inactivity, is America's fastest-growing cause of disease and death;
(4) Arkansas has one of the highest rates of obesity nationwide, putting growing numbers of Arkansas adults and children at risk for developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and other health problems;
(5) Increasing access to retail food outlets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food is an essential strategy for fighting the obesity epidemic and improving health;
(6) Studies have shown that people with better access to supermarkets and fresh produce tend to have healthier diets and lower levels of obesity; and
(7) Developing quality retail food outlets also creates jobs, expands markets for Arkansas farmers, and supports economic vitality in underserved communities.
(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Healthy Food Retailer Program established under this subchapter shall:(1) Provide a reliable source of financing for healthy food retailers operating in underserved communities in the state in both rural and urban areas;(2) Increase access to affordable healthy food to improve diets and health;(3) Promote the sale and consumption of fresh produce, particularly fresh produce that is grown in Arkansas; and(4) Support the expansion of economic opportunities in low-income and rural communities.
(1) Provide a reliable source of financing for healthy food retailers operating in underserved communities in the state in both rural and urban areas;
(2) Increase access to affordable healthy food to improve diets and health;
(3) Promote the sale and consumption of fresh produce, particularly fresh produce that is grown in Arkansas; and
(4) Support the expansion of economic opportunities in low-income and rural communities.