Bill > S0852

This bill addresses food insecurity by creating a new section of Florida law that allows local governments to support grocery stores in areas with limited access to nutritious food. The bill defines a "food insecure area" (also called a "food desert") as a location with a poverty rate over 20% or low median income, where residents live far from a supermarket (more than 1 mile in urban areas or 10 miles in rural areas). It introduces the concept of a "small-footprint grocery store" that must derive at least 30% of its sales from nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. The legislation empowers local governments to create land development regulations and comprehensive plan provisions that make it easier to establish these small grocery stores in food insecure areas, and allows local governments to require reporting from such stores. The underlying purpose is to improve access to healthy food options for residents in economically disadvantaged or geographically isolated communities, recognizing that limited food access can negatively impact public health and welfare. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/852