Sec. 05.13.06.04. Food Desert Designation Application Processing

A. Application Evaluation.

(1) Each application shall be submitted to the Department to determine whether all of the information required under Regulation .03 of this chapter is contained in the application.

(2) Upon receipt of all required information, the Department shall:

(a) Convene the Advisory Committee to:

(i) Review applications;

(ii) Provide assistance and guidance to applicants; and

(iii) Make recommendations to the Secretary;

(b) Refer the application to other State agencies for comment, as the Department considers appropriate;

(c) Consider any recommendation from a State unit; and

(d) Analyze each application to determine whether the proposed food desert merits designation.

(3) The Advisory Committee or the Department may request additional information from the applicant concerning an application, including oral presentations.

(4) Upon completion of the requirements in §A(1)-(3) of this regulation, the Advisory Committee shall make a recommendation on the application to the Secretary after considering the:

(a) Availability of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy foods in the area;

(b) Income levels of local residents;

(c) Transportation needs of local residents and the availability of public transportation;

(d) Comments from local governments and other State agencies; and

(e) Any other factors that the Advisory Committee considers relevant.

B. Upon receipt of the recommendation from the Advisory Committee, the Secretary may request additional information from the applicant concerning the application, including oral presentations.