This uncodified law created a program to support and encourage grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets. It includes incentives and assistance for developing or improving grocery stores and corner stores, farmers markets and small stores. It created the DC Healthy Food Retail Program, which provides assistance for small retailers seeking to sell healthy foods in underserved communities; created the Grocery Store Development Program to assist retailers in building or renovating grocery stores in eligible areas, and requires and encourages eligible stores to hire DC residents, and also supports energy efficiency in corner stores. It also creates a working group to facilitate healthy food distribution for corner stores.
Requires eligible grocery stores and corner stores/farmers markets/small stores to accept or apply to accept SNAP and apply for WIC (see e.g., Sec. 202 (A)(1)&(2); Sec. 302 (A); also gives priority to stores in "underserved" areas (Sec. 201 C (2)(B))
Requires eligible grocery stores to sell "fresh produce and healthy foods" (see Sec. 202 (a) (4); eligible stores must agree in writing to this and other terms.
Sec. 304 requires the development of "tools and resources for corner stores to reduce their operating costs by becoming more energy efficient;" and promotion of "energy efficiency programs to corner stores."
Section 201 (a) refers to creating "quality jobs for District residents;" Sec. 202 requires eligible grocery stores to enter into "First Source" agreements (which give unemployed DC residents preference in hiring--see Sec. 2-219.03); Sec. 302 A(3) encourages eligible corner and small stores to hire District residents; Sections 202 (c) and 302 (c) requires stores to agree in writing to honor DC resident hiring preference.
Sec. 101
Includes multiple directions for implementing the law
To create grants and other financial assistance; provide technical assistance, to support working groups.
Uncodified version of law amending Chapter 38 of Title 7 of DC's code (47-3801 and 3802) relating to property tax exemptions for grocery stores; created a healthy food retail program. Created new sections of law in Title 2 (Government Administration); Chapter 12 (Business and Economic Development); , Subchptr VI-A (Commercial Food Store Development). Codified version available at: https://beta.code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/2/chapters/12/subchapters/VI-A/.