Bill Summary for H 879 (2023-2024)

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Summary date: 

Apr 26 2023

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
House Bill 879 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 25, 2023
AN ACT TO INCENTIVIZE HEALTHY FOOD AND TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS FOR NORTH CAROLINA FARMERS AND CONSUMERS.
Intro. by T. Brown, Saine, Gillespie, Jeffers.

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Bill summary

Effective July 1, 2023, appropriates $10 million in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2023-24 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for a grant to the nonprofit Carolina Farm Trust, which addresses food sustainability and overall health/nutrition. Authorizes funds for three things: (1) "Farm Apprentice Program": academic and career development in regional agriculture and the creation of teams that will support rural farmers in infrastructure and emergency management projects; (2) "Food and Health Program": support for community chronic health issues and general wellness, creation of relationships in partnerships with trained health care workers, affordable/accessible produce for the community, and establishment of a database to support the program; and (3) "Agriculture Distribution Platform": enable communities to maintain a strong regional food economy, build a 3,000 square foot regional kitchen with a "learning kitchen" and event space, increase the number of regional meat processing facilities, and support regional supply chains to support small farmers.