- Austin City Council will vote today on helping attract more grocery stores to East Austin
- According to the Statesman, there are 77 healthy food stores west of Interstate 35 but only 22 east of I-35 creating what is labeled as a “food desert”
- A resolution put forth by Council Member Delia Garza seeks to use federal grant money to help attract grocery stores to areas in Austin that badly need them
- The highest rates of diabetes, obesity and heart disease in Austin occur in the areas where there is a lack of access to healthier foods
- In order to identify and aid under-served areas, Austin’s Economic Development Department is working with a consultant
- Council Member Delia Garza has instructed city staff to report back by November 14th on the possibility of using some Community Development Block Grant dollars to incentivize grocery stores
More information:
https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20190919/editorial-these-dollars-could…
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