ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her new Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act Friday, aimed at ending food deserts in Rochester’s underserved communities.
This new legislation would provide $50 million in mandatory state funding annually to the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, a program that offers loans and grants to encourage grocery stores to expand their locations throughout underserved areas.
According to Gillibrand, many of the neighborhoods in Rochester are classified as food deserts. This bill could help bring food retailers to Rochester’s 19th ward and other communities in the area that lack access to fresh food stores.
“Food insecurity is an issue so many in our community are facing and we have been working with our local partners to help alleviate by offering fresh produce and hot meals to the residents in here in the 19th Ward and across the communities we serve,” Ernie Lamour, the President & CEO of YMCA of Greater Rochester said. “Funding for critical programs like the ones we offer allows us to continue to show up for our community how and when they need us.”