State & Local Policy Efforts
Policy Efforts to Watch: Healthy Food Florida Campaign
Advocates are working in Florida to ensure that all residents have access to healthy food and that communities are able to thrive with more grocery stores, healthier corner stores, and economic investment. Led by the American Heart Association, this campaign, called Healthy Food Florida, joins forces with volunteers and groups on the ground, including community, business, and faith-based groups, to advocate for the importance of healthy communities. In April 2016, Governor Scott signed HB 0153, which created an initial healthy food financing program to support grocery stores in underserved communities. This legislation included an appropriation of $500,000 and is being administered by the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Advocates continue to explore opportunities for a more robust HFFI program, as well as a statewide healthy corner store initiative.
- Florida Healthy Food Financing Initiative at the Florida Department of Agriculture
- Check out Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ “Roadmap to Living Healthy” interactive mapping tool. This resource identifies the 100 highest rural and urban impact tracts in the state using GIS technology.