Farm Bureau Supports Local Grocery Stores
Senate Bill 850 creates the Grocery Initiative Act. In addition to studying food insecurity in urban and rural food deserts, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will also establish a Grocery Initiative to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts in Illinois by providing assistance to independently owned for-profit grocery stores, as well as grocery stores owned and operated by local governmental units.
The bill also amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act and enables a grocery store to receive financial support under the Grocery Initiative Act. The goal of this bill is to support grocery stores in food deserts in an effort to reduce food insecurity in Illinois.
Senate Bill 850 is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Farm Bureau supported the initiative. Last year, Cook County Farm Bureau drafted and led the passage of Farm Bureau’s first ever Food Access policy, which enabled the organization to actively work with Representative Canty on this piece of legislation.