Fresh food access and grocery store retention
Summary
After four hours of public testimony the night before, alders demanded clarity on the $1.8 million grocery fund — the RIF GAAP program has seven to ten applicants but no dollars allocated yet. DCD promised a written roadmap covering DCD and Health Department funds.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 6, 2026.
Impact analysis
$1 million in CDBG money is available for grocers, part of a $1.8 million council-approved effort, with no funds yet spent.
Residents of neighborhoods losing grocery stores and pharmacies, plus local grocers seeking grants.
Residents in food-desert neighborhoods face continued limited fresh food access until funds are deployed.
Mentions & discussions (2)
FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE — October 6, 2026
After four hours of public testimony the night before, alders demanded clarity on the $1.8 million grocery fund — the RIF GAAP program has seven to ten applicants but no dollars allocated yet. DCD promised a written roadmap covering DCD and Health Department funds.
COMMON COUNCIL — April 21, 2026
The Council declared food apartheid a public health emergency and adopted roughly $2.8 million in measures to keep and attract grocery stores and pharmacies, plus a closure-notice ordinance so neighborhoods don't lose stores overnight.
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