(a) The Mayor shall establish a Healthy Food Retail Program within the Department of Small and Local Business Development to expand access to healthy foods in eligible areas in the District by providing assistance to corner stores, farmers markets, and other small food retailers.
(b) The Department of Health, District Department of the Environment, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Office of Planning, and the University System of the District of Columbia shall, as requested by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, assist this program.
(c)(1) The program may provide a combination of any or all of the following to corner stores, farmers markets, and other small food retailers in eligible areas:
(A) Grants;
(B) Loans;
(C) Federal tax credits;
(D) Equipment;
(E) Other financial assistance; and
(F) Technical assistance.
(2) The benefits provided by this subsection shall be awarded to corner stores, farmers markets, and other small food retailers in eligible areas on a competitive basis, with priority given to projects with the greatest potential impact on expanding access to healthy foods in eligible areas that are underserved by retail sales of healthy food.
(d) Corner stores, farmers markets, and other small food retailers are encouraged to work cooperatively to expand access to healthy foods in eligible areas.
(e) The benefits provided by subsection (c) of this section may be used by corner stores to improve the display areas, exteriors, and interiors of corner stores to expand capacity to sell healthy food.
(f) The Department of Small and Local Business Development may contract with nonprofit organizations in promoting and implementing this program.
(g) The University System of the District of Columbia may provide nutrition education resources to eligible corner stores, farmers markets, and consumers in eligible areas.
(Apr. 8, 2011, D.C. Law 18-353, § 301, 58 DCR 746.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-353, see notes under § 2-1212.01.
(a) Corner stores, farmers markets, and other small food retailers participating in the program established by § 2-1212.31 shall be strongly encouraged to:
(1) Apply to accept SNAP benefits;
(2) Apply to accept WIC benefits; and
(3) Employ District residents.
(b) Resources may be provided under § 2-1212.31 to assist corner stores, farmers markets, and other small food retailers in acquiring the technology necessary to accept SNAP and WIC benefits.
(c) As a condition of participating in the program established by § 2- 1212.31, individuals or entities operating corner stores, farmers markets, and other small food retailers shall agree in writing to sell produce or other healthy foods for at least 3 years; provided, that this requirement shall not be enforceable if the individual or entity, or its successor, ceases all of its retail food sales operations.
(Apr. 8, 2011, D.C. Law 18-353, § 302, 58 DCR 746.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-353, see notes under § 2-1212.01.
(a) The Department of Small and Local Business Development shall convene a working group to develop a plan for establishing a commercial distribution system for fresh produce and healthy foods to corner stores. Corner stores shall be encouraged to work cooperatively to maximize their buying power.
(b) The working group shall include representatives from:
(1) District agencies;
(2) The grocery ambassador, designated under § 2-1212.23;
(3) Nonprofit organizations;
(4) Urban farmers and community gardeners;
(5) Corner stores and their trade associations; and
(6) Produce wholesalers.
(c) The working group shall issue a report, including recommendations, to the Mayor and the Council.
(d) The Department of Small and Local Business Development may issue grants, on a competitive basis, for the establishment of a commercial distribution system for fresh produce and healthy foods
(Apr. 8, 2011, D.C. Law 18-353, § 303, 58 DCR 746.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-353, see notes under § 2-1212.01.
The District Department of the Environment shall:
(1) Develop tools and resources for corner stores to reduce their operating costs by becoming more energy efficient; and
(2) Promote energy efficiency programs to corner stores.
(Apr. 8, 2011, D.C. Law 18-353, § 304, 58 DCR 746.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 18-353, see notes under § 2-1212.01.
