"I support President Obama's call to create a Healthy Food Financing Initiative so we can move towards addressing this critical issue on a national level," Schwartz said. "Every day millions of Americans walk out their front doors and see nothing but fast food and convenience stores selling high-fat, high-sugar, processed foods. This lack of retail outlets that sell healthy food options results in higher rates of obesity, diabetes and other health-related issues. The success of the Pennsylvania initiative should be used as the model for a national plan to improve children's health, create jobs and spur economic development nationwide."  

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) is spearheading the effort in the Senate along with Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV).

"President Obama and leaders in Congress understand that access to healthy, affordable food is essential to healthy children and healthy communities. The president's proposal is an important step in reversing the nation's obesity epidemic, and we're thrilled that First Lady Michelle Obama will be leading a national effort to combat childhood obesity," says Yael Lehmann, Executive Director of The Food Trust, which conducted outreach to engage communities and store operators in the program.

"We are convinced that we can attract the private capital to match public investment in healthy food choices in our communities," stated Jeremy Nowak, President and CEO of The Reinvestment Fund, which managed the program and raised the private capital match for the PA program. "These markets provide economic anchors for communities across PA, attracting jobs to the community. These investments can drive the health and economic vitality of these communities, particularly during difficult economic times."

SOURCE PolicyLink