A bill authored by a local lawmaker to help provide fresh food to underserved areas will move to the full Senate for consideration. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, would allow the State Department of Health to help new and existing businesses and nonprofits offer fresh and unprocessed foods to communities in food deserts, which are underserved geographic areas where affordable and healthy foods are difficult to obtain.
Residents who live in such areas are often forced to eat packaged and frozen foods found in convenience stores and gas stations because they are unable to shop at full-sized grocery stores. Head says this contributes to obesity and diet-related diseases.
“By increasing access to healthy food, we can lower health-care costs, foster job opportunities and back away from expensive entitlement programs. This kind of development is a win-win for all parties involved and will lead to a healthier Indiana in the future,” Head said in a statement.
He notes Pennsylvania employed a similar idea and had successful outcomes. For every dollar invested there, grants resulted in $1.50 of economic development, additional businesses located near the busy grocery stores and improved overall quality of life.
