U.S. Bank, The California Endowment, NCB Capital Impact, and other community leaders celebrated the grand opening of Northgate Gonzalez Markets. The new supermarket, which brings healthy foods and new, local employment opportunities to the area's 105,000-plus residents, is the latest example of U.S. Bank's commitment to finance businesses that increase fresh, affordable food availability..

In order to improve access to healthy food and improve the negative health consequences associated with living in food deserts, 12 states (including Illinois and Michigan) have passed legislation since 2001. Seven others (including Nebraska and Ohio) have introduced bills that are pending or did not pass.

This document provides useful information about the rationale for and characteristics of healthier food retail legislation enacted in the last decade. Action steps that can be used to support Healthier Food Retail initiatives in their state are provided, as well as legislative data and other resources.

DaFresh Seafood and Produce Store has been awarded $117,000 by the New Orleans Fresh Food Retailer Initiative, which in partnership with Hope Enterprise Corp. and The Food Trust is providing loans to existing and startup grocers in underserved New Orleans communities.

Spartanburg City Council unanimously agreed to support the Healthy Food Hub on the city's north side by reallocating federal Community Development Block Grant funds and committing construction management expertise to the project. When complete, the farmers market will relocate there in addition to a garden, commercial kitchen and a cafe that will sell nutritious meals.

Social Compact is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization formed by coalition of business leaders from across the country committed to promoting successful investment in lower-income communities. Working in close partnership with community and corporate leaders over the past decade and a half, they have pioneered a methodology to analyze inner-city markets and create accurate, business-oriented profiles of “emerging” neighborhood markets.

In rural areas across Minnesota, thousands of residents live in communities without a major grocery store. In Big Stone County, small grocers like Bonnie's Hometown Grocery are making a big difference.

Massachusetts ranks nearly dead last — third from the bottom nationally — in having enough supermarkets with fresh, nutritious food, according to a report to be released today by the Massachusetts Public Health Association.

A Senate bill to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in the Department of Agriculture a Healthy Food Financing Initiative.

This guide serves as a resource for independent retailers who are seeking information on how to merchandise and promote their selection of fresh produce. It provides information about produce storage and display, cross promotion merchandising techniques, and promotional activities to educate low-income consumers on how to purchase, store, and prepare fresh produce.