Proposed Grocery Stores

This morning, Senator Kirsten Gilibrand is doing her part to ensure that people around the country have access to fresh food. Gilibrand proposed a $1 billion bill to help build 2,100 grocery stores around the nation.

Gilibrand said that the bill would help build over 350 stores in New York state that would give new grocery store access to over four millions New Yorkers. The stores woud be for residents living in "food deserts," or low-income areas where grocery stores are not close by.

Gilibrand hopes that by allowing access to fresh food, the measure would help fight obesity.

"By building new grocery stores in underserved areas across the state we can give people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives, save billions in health care costs, and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.''

The Obama administration had a similar proposal in their 2011 budget that will dedicate $345 million.