S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: Sec. 12.5 of S.L. 2017-57 directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to create a program to reimburse small food retailers for expenditures relating to enhancing access to healthy foods in food desert zones. Funds may be used to reimburse small food retailers for the purchase and installation of refrigeration equipment, display shelving, and other equipment necessary for stocking nutrient-dense foods. $250,000 is appropriated to the program, and DACS may reimburse a single small food retailer up to $25,000. To be eligible for the program, a small food retailer must accept or agree to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. DACS must report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division by October 1, 2018, on the activities, number of small food retailers receiving reimbursement, how funds were used by the small food retailers, and the gross amount of food in dollars sold to customers by participating small food retailers.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.