An Omaha senator is taking another run at a plan to increase access to healthy food in low-income areas in Nebraska.
Senator Brenda Council of Omaha is bringing back a bill that nearly
passed last year to promote and expand access to nutritious foods.
Her plan is to improve food options for Nebraskans, lower
healthcare costs and open new markets for the state's farmers.
The measure is up for debate on Tuesday in the Legislature's
Agriculture Committee.
It would create the Nebraska Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Act and cost $300,000 per year.
That money would be used to offer grants and loans to individuals and businesses that want to build or expand grocery
stores in areas considered to be "food deserts" where healthy
food choices are not currently available.
