Healthy Foods for Healthy Living Act Proposed

H.R.45 : To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to community-based organizations and local redevelopment agencies operating in low-income communities to promote increased access to and consumption of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and other healthy foods among residents of such communities, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] (introduced 1/4/2007)

Cosponsors (29)

Committees: House Energy and Commerce; House Agriculture; House Ways and Means

Latest Major Action: 2/6/2007 Referred to House subcommittee.

Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GRANTS TO PROMOTE GREATER CONSUMPTION OF FRESH FRUITS, FRESH VEGETABLES, AND OTHER HEALTHY FOODS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.

(a) Grants Authorized- The Secretary of Agriculture may make grants for the purposes specified in subsection (b) to any of the following:

(1) A community-based organization operating in a low-income community.

(2) A local redevelopment agency that is chartered, established, or otherwise sanctioned by a State or local government.

(b) Use of Grant Amounts- The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant amounts for one or more of the following activities:

(1) To assist in purchasing appropriate equipment or in hiring and training personnel to expand the inventory of fresh fruits and vegetables or other healthy food alternatives, as defined by the Department of Agriculture, such as healthier dairy and non-dairy to whole milk alternatives, 100 percent pure fruit juices, and products with 0 grams of transfat, available for residents of a low-income community.

(2) To carry out consumer education and outreach activities to encourage the purchase of products described in paragraph (1), such as by informing residents of a low-income communities about the health risks associated with high-calorie, low-exercise lifestyles and the benefits of healthy living.

(c) Maximum Grant- A grant under this section may not exceed $100,000.

(d) Community-Based Organization Defined- In this section, the term "community-based organization" includes schools, day-care centers, senior centers, community health centers, food banks, or emergency feeding organizations.