New Legislation Encourages Grocery Stores To Sell Healthy Food

Michigan grocery stores in poor areas are getting some encouragement to sell healthier food. That's the point of Public Act 231 of 2008, which allows local governments to offer tax breaks to grocery stores that sell fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and fresh meat to so-called underserved areas. It applies to grocery stores in poorer urban and rural areas in Michigan. They could get tax abatements for up to ten years for selling healthier food to communities that have often not had access to it. The sponsor of the bill, state senator Mark Jensen, R., Gaines Township, said, "This new measure will help make Michiganians healthier and spur neighborhood revitalization." Public Act 231 was signed into law Thursday.

Steve - how sad it is that things have to come to this. However, if it will spur on grocery stores to promote healthier food, so be it.