Collapse to view only § 6953. Healthy food financing initiative
- § 6951. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
- § 6952. Multiagency task force
- § 6953. Healthy food financing initiative
§ 6951. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
(a) Authorization
(b) Confirmation required
(c) Functions of Under Secretary
(1) Principal functions
(2) Additional functions
(d) Succession
(Pub. L. 103–354, title II, § 241, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3222.)
§ 6952. Multiagency task force
(a) In general
(b) CompositionThe Task Force shall be composed of at least 4 members, including—
(1) a representative from the Food Distribution Division of the Food and Nutrition Service, who shall—
(A) be appointed by the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services; and
(B) serve as Chairperson of the Task Force;
(2) at least 1 representative from the Agricultural Marketing Service, who shall be appointed by the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs;
(3) at least 1 representative from the Farm Services Agency, who shall be appointed by the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation; and
(4) at least 1 representative from the Food Safety and Inspection Service, who shall be appointed by the Under Secretary for Food Safety.
(c) Duties
(1) In generalThe Task Force shall be responsible for evaluation and monitoring of the commodity programs to ensure that the commodity programs meet the mission of the Department—
(A) to support the United States farm sector; and
(B) to contribute to the health and well-being of individuals in the United States through the distribution of domestic agricultural products through commodity programs.
(2) Specific dutiesIn carrying out paragraph (1), the Task Force shall—
(A) review and make recommendations regarding the specifications used for the procurement of food commodities;
(B) review and make recommendations regarding the efficient and effective distribution of food commodities; and
(C) review and make recommendations regarding the degree to which the quantity, quality, and specifications of procured food commodities align the needs of producers and the preferences of recipient agencies.
(d) ReportsNot later than 1 year after February 7, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes, for the period covered by the report—
(1) the findings and recommendations of the Task Force; and
(2) policies implemented for the improvement of commodity procurement programs.
(Pub. L. 103–354, title II, § 242, as added Pub. L. 113–79, title IV, § 4205, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 823; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12405(b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4975.)
§ 6953. Healthy food financing initiative
(a) Purpose
(b) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Community development financial institution
(2) Initiative
(3) National fund managerThe term “national fund manager” means a community development financial institution that is—
(A) in existence on the date of enactment of this section; and
(B) certified by the Community Development Financial Institution Fund of the Department of Treasury to manage the Initiative for purposes of—
(i) raising private capital;
(ii) providing financial and technical assistance to partnerships; and
(iii) funding eligible projects to attract fresh, healthy food retailers and enterprises to underserved areas, in accordance with this section.
(4) PartnershipThe term “partnership” means a regional, State, or local public-private partnership that—
(A) is organized to improve access to fresh, healthy foods;
(B) provides financial and technical assistance to eligible projects; and
(C) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.
(5) Perishable food
(6) Quality job
(7) Staple food
(A) In general
(B) InclusionsThe term “staple food” includes—
(i) bread or cereal;
(ii) flour;
(iii) fruits;
(iv) vegetables;
(v) meat; and
(vi) dairy products.
(c) Initiative
(1) Establishment
(2) Implementation
(A) In general
(i) In general
(ii) Use of fundsFunds provided to an entity pursuant to clause (i) shall be used—(I) to create revolving loan pools of capital or other products to provide loans to finance eligible projects or partnerships;(II) to provide grants for eligible projects or partnerships;(III) to provide technical assistance to funded projects and entities seeking Initiative funding; and(IV) to cover administrative expenses of the national fund manager in an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the Federal funds provided.
(B) Eligible projectsSubject to the approval of the Secretary, the national fund manager shall establish eligibility criteria for projects under the Initiative, which shall include the existence or planned execution of agreements—
(i) to expand or preserve the availability of staple foods in underserved areas with moderate- and low-income populations by maintaining or increasing the number of retail outlets that offer an assortment of perishable food and staple food items, as determined by the Secretary, in those areas; and
(ii) as applicable, to accept benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
(C) PrioritiesIn carrying out the Initiative, priority shall be given to projects that—
(i) are located in severely distressed low-income communities, as defined by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the Department of Treasury; and
(ii) include 1 or more of the following characteristics:(I) The project will create or retain quality jobs for low-income residents in the community.(II) The project supports regional food systems and locally grown foods, to the maximum extent practicable.(III) In areas served by public transit, the project is accessible by public transit.(IV) The project involves women- or minority-owned businesses.(V) The project receives funding from other sources, including other Federal agencies.(VI) The project otherwise advances the purpose of this section, as determined by the Secretary.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 103–354, title II, § 243, as added Pub. L. 113–79, title IV, § 4206, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 824; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title IV, § 4204, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4656.)