Hello…

Going to the grocery store is something most of us take for granted. But for over 2.5 million people in Florida who live in food deserts—areas where it is difficult to buy affordable, healthy food—that trip to the grocery store is anything but easy. Low-income zip codes have 25 percent fewer chain supermarkets compared with middle-income zip codes. The result? Access to healthy produce, lean protein, dairy and other staples is tough at best, and simply not an option for far too many.

Families who live in communities where they can’t find a bag of apples or a head of lettuce are at greater risk of becoming overweight and obese. Studies show that the closer we are to neighborhood supermarkets, the more likely we are to have healthier lives and lower body weight too.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to these problems: healthy food financing. Healthy food financing programs create public-private partnerships that make a real difference for individuals, communities and even entire states. This critical loan and grant financing helps healthy and affordable food retailers overcome the higher initial barriers to entry into low-income and underserved communities—barriers like land acquisition financing, construction and workforce development.

In Florida, we may have the chance to bring the Healthy Food Financing Initiative here, if the Florida Legislature passes House Bill 153, sponsored by Rep. David Santiago and Senate Bill 760, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean. These twin bills will provide a way to get hundreds of thousands of Floridians closer to fresh, healthy food by bringing small grocers, farm stands and other outlets into their communities. Once grocery stores have been built in underserved communities, the results are dramatic. For example, in Pennsylvania, an initial grant of $30 million created 88 new grocery stores, 5,000 new jobs and $190 million in total investment.

We want the same opportunity for Florida and its residents. Please support House Bill 153, sponsored by Rep. David Santiago and Senate Bill 760, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean to bring healthy food financing projects in our community. Together, we can ensure that our neighbors live happier, healthier lives.

Sincerely,

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