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Congressman Cohen Introduces the Supermarket Tax Credit for Underserved Areas Act

June 5, 2019

Provides tax incentives to establish stores to reduce food deserts

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Supermarket Tax Credit for Underserved Areas Act, a bill to provide tax incentives for the establishment of grocery stores in urban and rural areas that don't have convenient access to fresh food.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"For more than 23 million Americans living in communities such as parts of Memphis that lack access to fresh food and vegetables, a food desert is not a mirage but a reality. A lack of healthy food choices can contribute to a decline in health and well-being and may contribute to diet-related illnesses, like diabetes. My bill addresses this problem by increasing the rehabilitation tax credit for supermarkets in urban and rural areas."

The bill would also increase the work employment tax credit to encourage hiring of disadvantaged youth, community residents and veterans. It would also provide a credit for sales of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Representatives Yvette Clarke of New York, Raul Grijalva or Arizona, Jamie Raskin of Maryland; Barbara Lee and Ro Khanna of California; Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C.; and Robin Kelly, Bobby Rush and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, are original co-sponsors of the measure.