For Immediate Release: Feb. 1, 2023

Contact: Lillian Williams, 573-751-0220

Senator Doug Beck Presents Legislation to Address Our State’s Food Deserts

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Doug Beck, D-Affton, presented Senate Bill 143 to members of the Senate Economic Development and Tax Policy Committee on Feb. 1. The legislation authorizes a tax credit for the expenses associated with establishing full-service grocery stores in food deserts. These are areas without supermarkets or other sources of affordable and healthy food options within a half-mile radius in urban settings or a ten-mile radius in rural areas.

“This is a serious health inequity that impacts urban and rural areas alike,” explained Sen. Beck. “Through this legislation, we have the opportunity to improve the health outcomes of thousands of Missourians who do not have access to nutritious foods because of their ZIP code.”

According to the MOST Policy Initiative, more than 25% of Missourians do not have access to affordable and nutritious foods, and the United States Department of Agriculture reports the lack of access to healthy foods is a multi-generational, environmental health issue. The department’s map indicates Missouri’s food deserts are located throughout the state, as well as the two metropolitan areas.

For more information about Sen. Beck and his legislation, please visit senate.mo.gov/beck.

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