SB1360 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 24867 RJT 51200 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1360

Introduced 2/6/2023, by Sen. Dale Fowler

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 205/205-360 new

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall conduct an access to nutritious food program to establish and operate projects and strategies within food deserts that focus on: (1) distribution of fresh and nutritious food; and (2) education in food preparation and nutrition. Provides that the Department shall promote the sharing of information concerning best practices and programs, including specified projects, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition. Provides that the Department shall convene an annual meeting of nonprofit organizations and other interested parties to share best practices and information on programs, including specified projects, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition. Defines "food desert" and "program".

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning agriculture.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 205-360 as follows:

(20 ILCS 205/205-360 new)

Sec. 205-360. Access to nutritious food program.

(a) In this Section:

"Food desert" means an underserved geographic area where fresh and nutritious foods are difficult to obtain, as determined by the Department. "Food desert" includes:

(1) a rural town or urban neighborhood in which:

(A) at least 25% of the households have incomes that are below the federal income poverty level; or

(B) the median family income of residents is not more than 80% of the median family income of Illinois;

(2) a rural town, urban neighborhood, or metropolitan census tract in which at least 500 residents or at least 33% of the population resides more than one mile from a supermarket or large grocery store; or

(3) a non-metropolitan census tract in which at least 500 residents or at least 33% of the population resides more than 10 miles from a supermarket or large grocery store.

"Program" refers to the access to nutritious food program conducted under this Section.

(b) The Department shall conduct an access to nutritious food program to establish and operate projects and strategies within food deserts that focus on:

(1) distribution of fresh and nutritious food; and

(2) education in food preparation and nutrition.

(c) The Department shall promote the sharing of information concerning best practices and programs, including projects established under this Section, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition.

(d) The Department shall convene an annual meeting of nonprofit organizations and other interested parties to share best practices and information on programs, including projects established under this Section, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition.