Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Access And Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate panel advances bill to create Healthy Food grant program for food deserts
Summary
SB 18 would authorize the California Department of Food and Agriculture to award grants to grocery operators to open stores in underserved "food desert" communities. The Senate Agriculture Committee passed the bill unanimously, and supporters said it would increase access to fresh food and bring jobs to underserved neighborhoods.
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted to pass SB 18, which would create a food desert elimination grant program under the California Department of Food and Agriculture to help grocery operators open stores in communities that lack access to fresh, affordable food.
Senator Rubio, who authored the bill, said the measure authorizes CDFA to award grants to grocery store operators to support openings in food desert communities. "Every Californian deserves nutritious food," Rubio said, linking the proposal to education outcomes and economic opportunity.
Leticia Garcia of the California Grocers Association told the committee that building a grocery store requires a substantial investment and that grant incentives can help grocers site stores in underserved areas. "Minimum it's a $15,000,000 investment," Garcia said, describing the capital intensity and saying federal funds (the Healthy Food Financing Initiative) could be pursued alongside the state program.
Michael Marks, a longtime fresh‑food advocate, testified about nutrition and public health, arguing that improved access to fresh produce is tied to better health and educational outcomes. "Nutrition has a direct relation to education," Marks said, urging the committee to support the bill.
Committee members praised the concept and asked the bill’s backers to pair grants with education and outreach so residents would use the new options. The vice chair said the bill does not address root causes of food insecurity but called it a necessary short‑term step; another senator noted the bill’s potential to bring jobs and increase local tax revenue.
The committee voted 4–0 to pass SB 18 as amended to Appropriations. Supporters at the hearing included the California Grocers Association and advocates for healthy food access; there was no registered opposition present.
