U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced a bill Wednesday to provide $50 million in guaranteed yearly funding for a federal program targeting food deserts, according to Spectrum News. Her proposal would bolster the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, which supports grocery development in underserved areas.
Food deserts, where access to nutritious food is limited, affect parts of New York’s North Country and Southern Tier. Gillibrand said residents in these areas often endure long trips just to buy basic groceries—a burden she called unacceptable.
The initiative has already aided fresh food projects in cities like Brooklyn and Buffalo. With this bill, Gillibrand aims to ensure more consistent support to expand those efforts nationwide.
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