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Assembly committee advances bill to fund grocery stores in food deserts
Summary
Sen. Rubio presented Senate Bill 18, the Food Affordability Act, to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture on behalf of the bill's author, proposing a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at the California Department of Food and Agriculture to provide grants for opening or improving grocery stores in communities with limited access to fresh, affordable food.
Sen. Rubio presented Senate Bill 18, the Food Affordability Act, to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture on behalf of the bill's author, proposing a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to provide grants for opening or improving grocery stores in communities with limited access to fresh, affordable food.
The bill's backers, including the California Grocers Association, told the committee the program would increase access to fresh food in both rural and urban areas and help catalyze additional nonprofit and federal funding; opponents urged amendments to prioritize community-led retailers, tribal and BIPOC-owned operations, and long-term commitments from grantees.
SB 18 would authorize CDFA to award grants to grocery operators for siting and improving stores in identified food deserts and would set aside funds for technical assistance, according to testimony. Sen. Rubio said the measure aims to bring healthier food options and job…
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