The City of Milwaukee will spend more money to help start new businesses to help combat food deserts.
A food desert is defined as an area that does not have a readily accessible option for people to get healthy food items. This could include areas where there are food options, but they are fast food chains and conveinence stores that typically don’t include many healthy options.
The city’s 2019 budget includes an additional $200,000 in seed funding for entrepreneurs who want to open up healthy food businesses in the parts of the city where there are no current grocery stores. The money will only go to those who have a sustainable business model.
The American Heart Association has also indicated that they can match some of the additional dollars.
In a statement, Alderman Khalif Rainey says the effort it to attract businesses that will help nourish the next generation of leaders and difference makers across Milwaukee. He estimates the amount of money needed to address food deserts in the city would be around $2 million.
