Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility PA House OKs Burgos bill to provide more fresh food options to underserved areas

PA House OKs Burgos bill to provide more fresh food options to underserved areas

Philadelphia House Delegation    April 9, 2025 | 3:26 PM

HARRISBURG, April 9 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Danilo Burgos to re-establish the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative passed the PA House today.

House Bill 764 would restore the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which originally operated from 2004 to 2010. The program would once again provide grants for the construction, rehabilitation or expansion of grocery stores, farmers markers and other healthy food retail establishments in low- to moderate-income areas in need.

“Restarting this program would allow us to help people who continue to suffer from hunger and malnourishment, as well as improve the quality of fresh produce available to people and promote local agricultural products throughout Pennsylvania,” Burgos said. “Food deserts continue to be serious problem in urban and rural areas alike. This program is proven to help with food insecurity, and it is time to restore it.”

State Reps. Morgan Cephas, Nathan Davidson and Greg Scott joined Burgos in authoring the bill and advocating for its passage.

Cephas, D-Phila., who serves as the Chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation, said, “I’m very supportive of re-establishing the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative which was a successful lifeline for so many communities in Philadelphia. Rampant health issues including malnutrition and obesity can be linked to a lack of access to fresh foods and affordable grocery options for Philadelphia families. Establishing local markets and attracting grocery stores to our underserved areas will uplift neighborhoods out of hunger and into improved community health.”

“This initiative will increase access to Pennsylvania grown food in our communities, promoting better health outcomes, and supporting local economies,” Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin, said. “This effort also underscores Pennsylvania’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and improving access to fresh, healthy food options.”

“So many in our communities are forced to choose less healthful, highly processed food for their families solely because access to fresh foods is scarce in their neighborhoods,” said Scott, D-Montgomery. “I’m proud to co-sponsor legislation that will improve every family’s ability to have nutritious meals on their table while also encouraging job growth throughout Pennsylvania.”

Research shows that people living near full-service grocery stores tend to have healthier diets, including higher intakes of fruits and vegetables and lower levels of obesity. However, residents in low-income and rural neighborhoods tend to rely more on small corner grocery stores with little stock and no produce.

The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.