[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF SUPERMARKET TAX CREDIT FOR UNDERSERVED AREAS ACT

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2015

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Supermarket 
Tax Credit for Underserved Areas Act, which I introduced earlier today. 
If enacted, this bill would provide tax incentives for the 
establishment of supermarkets in urban and rural areas without access 
to fresh food.
  It is hard to believe, but more than 23 million Americans, including 
many residents in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, live in 
communities that lack access to fresh food. I believe that is simply 
unacceptable in a nation as great as ours.
  No American should have to live in a so-called, ``food desert.'' 
According to the Department of Agriculture, a ``food desert'' is a low 
income neighborhood that lacks grocery stores within a 1 mile proximity 
for urban residents and 10 miles for rural residents. Many families in 
these neighborhoods face transportation challenges and rely on corner 
convenience stores that often stock processed snack products (potato 
chips, soft drinks, and candy) rather than fresh meat and produce. 
Studies have shown that access to healthy food choices can help prevent 
many diet-related illnesses, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, 
heart disease and digestive diseases.
  That is why I introduced Supermarket Tax Credit for Underserved Areas 
Act. This legislation seeks to reduce food deserts, create jobs and 
boost local economies by increasing the rehabilitation tax credit for 
supermarkets that open stores in food desert communities. The bill 
would also increase the work employment tax credit for supermarkets 
that hire disadvantaged youth, community residents, veterans and ex-
felons. Finally, Supermarket Tax Credit for Underserved Areas Act would 
provide a tax credit for supermarkets that purchase their fresh fruits 
and vegetables from local growers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this much needed legislation.

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