Latham sponsors bill to create grant program to help small-town grocery stores

DES MOINES — The Iowa House Thursday unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Sheffield Republican Shannon Latham to create a grant program to help small-town grocery stores purchase new equipment, update technology and make other improvements.

Latham says the bill would create a grocer reinvestment and local produce processing program.  “Food deserts are growing across our state as independent grocery stores close their doors. In fact, the number of independent grocers has decreased by 15% in Iowa during the past decade, and this decline is even more staggering in rural Iowa where more than 40% of grocery stores have closed in communities with populations less than 1000. Profit margins are extremely thin for small grocery stores, so some of them could be just one freezer breakdown or one cooler breakdown away from having to close their doors.”

Latham says grocery stores are the heart of small communities and local neighborhoods.   “They’re vital for healthy Iowa communities. Not only do they provide nutritious food for residents, but these businesses add to our local economies. They make areas more attractive to prospective residents, and they play an important role in connecting local residents with people outside of their homes. Studies show that areas with local grocery stores have less obesity and fewer ill health effects, so let’s keep Iowans and our small Iowa communities healthy.”

The proposed Iowa Grocer Reinvestment Fund could offer grants of up to $100,000 that would have to be matched by a grocery store owner.