NEW YORK CITY (AP) -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand proposed $1 billion in loans and grants Monday to help build 2,100 grocery stores in areas around the nation that lack access to fresh food.
Gillibrand said the measure would help about four million New York residents living in so-called food deserts by providing the funding for more than 350 stores statewide, many in low-income areas. Modeled on a similar program in Pennsylvania, the legislation would provide startup grants and loans in rural and urban areas to expand access to fresh food and to create jobs.
The Obama administration has already dedicated $345 million in his 2011 budget for a similar proposal.
Gillibrand said the measure would help fight obesity by making more fresh, healthy food available.
"By building new grocery stores in underserved areas across the state we can give people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives, save billions in health care costs, and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs," she said
Gillibrand unveiled the legislation with support from U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-NY, and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
Velazquez noted that low-income communities face higher incidences of obesity and diabetes, and that a big part of the problem is the lack of access to healthy foods.
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