LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have granted second-round approval to a bill that would help offer grants and loans to improve access to healthy food.
Omaha Sen. Brenda Council introduced legislation that would offer tax credits and encourage private funding for grocery stores, farmers markets and community gardens that serve low-access areas. An amendment to her bill would cap the total available tax credit each year at $200,000.
Council has argued that her legislation would extend healthy eating options to urban and rural regions in so-called "food deserts."
Critics worry the bill could create unintended consequences for established grocery stores, which operate in a highly competitive industry with slim margins. In earlier debate, some lawmakers said market forces would create healthy food options for customers if a demand existed.