Superv. Safaie proposes food empowerment markets, DPH biannual report to ‘reimagine’ food security

Supervisor Ahsha Safaie told the Board of Supervisors on May 18 that the pandemic exposed deep food‑security gaps and that he will introduce two ordinances to change how the city distributes food.

Safaie said the first ordinance would require the Department of Public Health to publish a biannual food security and equity report and to establish a method for soliciting and integrating data from other city departments. The second ordinance would create a Community Food Empowerment Markets Fund — a special city fund intended to provide grants to nonprofits to establish and operate food empowerment markets that let people select groceries in a dignified way.

Mayor London Breed, who shared personal memories of using food stamps as a child, told the board she supports rethinking distributions to reduce lines and stigma. "People deserve more dignity than that," she said, describing the shame she experienced waiting in line for food assistance. Safaie said the market model would not replace existing partners like the Marin Food Bank but would work with them and build on community food hubs such as the Mission Food Hub and an Excelsior hub.

Under the ordinance described by Safaie, eligible food empowerment markets would operate as free food markets or pantries distributing donated or discounted food and cooking supplies sourced from grocery retailers, food banks and other sources. Funding for the new fund would come from city appropriations or philanthropic gifts; Safaie said the fund would be administered through HSA via a grant process overseen by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD).

Why it matters: City policy on how food aid is delivered affects dignity, cultural responsiveness and access. Safaie's proposals aim to institutionalize lessons learned during the city’s COVID response and to expand community‑led, consumer‑choice distribution models.

What’s next: Safaie said he will introduce the ordinances and work with mayoral staff and department leads on implementation details. Any new funding would be considered through the city’s budget process.

Attribution: Direct quotes are from Supervisor Safaie and Mayor London Breed during the May 18, 2021 meeting and are taken from the official meeting transcript.

Ending: The proposals would require city departments to report on food equity and set up a grant fund; details on funding levels and eligibility will be decided through legislation and the budget process.