AGRICULTURE/FOREST DEPT: Provides relative to the Healthy Food Retail Act. (8/1/24)

This bill amends the Louisiana Healthy Food Retail Act to create a financing program that offers grants and loans to businesses selling fresh produce in underserved areas. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will manage this initiative by partnering with nonprofit groups or financial institutions to handle tasks like evaluating applicants, making funding decisions, and monitoring results. Funding for eligible projects will be awarded on a competitive, one-time basis to support the expansion of healthy food options in communities that need them most.