36. a. The Legislature finds and declares that: (1) there are certain areas of the State, known as “food desert” communities, in which residents are unable to obtain reasonable and adequate access to nutritious foods and, in particular, to fresh fruits and vegetables; (2) the inaccessibility of nutritious food in food desert communities has been attributed, in large part, to the absence of supermarkets and grocery stores in those communities; (3) low-income families are more likely than others to live in food desert communities and to lack the transportation or financial resources necessary to reach distant wholesome markets; and (4) the establishment of financial incentives to supermarkets, grocery stores, mid-sized food retailers, and small food retailers is a reasonable means by which to ensure that residents of food desert communities in the State are provided with reasonable access to nutritious, fresh, and delicious produce, and are afforded the opportunity thereby to make healthier eating choices for themselves and for their families.

b. The Legislature therefore determines that it is both reasonable and necessary to authorize the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to establish a program that provides financial assistance to supermarkets, grocery stores, mid-sized food retailers, and small food retailers to establish and retain locations in food desert communities in order to provide a consistent, and easily accessible, source of fresh produce to residents in those communities.

L.2020, c.156, s.36.