Food policy changes advance in Texas, Baltimore, Congress

Baltimore has enacted the Community Healthy Food Access Act, creating grants of up to $250,000 for qualifying small grocers and community food retailers in underserved areas to stock fresh food and improve equipment; full-size grocery stores can receive up to $100,000. The program also offers recipients technical and business support, while community organizations can work with farmers and churches to bring produce into neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food. Separately, a proposed federal bill would establish competitive grants of up to $500,000 for partnerships between community health centers and emergency food organizations to provide food at or near health centers or deliver it there. The bill would require HHS to evaluate the program and report on its effects on food insecurity.