Omaha Senator Brings Back Healthy Food Proposal
February 17, 2012 | 1 min to read
An Omaha senator will take another shot at providing low-income Nebraskans with access to healthy food by reviving a bill that Gov. Dave Heineman vetoed last year.
The measure from Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha promotes and expands access to nutritious foods, and also is touted as a way to lower health care costs, create jobs, revitalize distressed communities and open new markets for the state's farmers and ranchers.
The bill (LB1123) would create the Nebraska Healthy Food Financing Initiative Act and cost $300,000 per year. That money would be used to offer grants and loans to individuals and businesses that want to build, renovate or expand grocery stores in areas considered to be "food deserts."
The measure also seeks to establish "farmers' markets, food consumer cooperatives, community gardening projects and distribution projects that enable food retailers in underserved communities to regularly obtain fresh produce."
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Associated Press