Bill > AB1674

This bill, the Food Affordability Act, aims to combat food insecurity by expanding access to healthy foods in areas designated as "food deserts" – places with significant barriers to accessing large grocery stores and often characterized by low income. It establishes the Food Desert Elimination Grant Program, administered by the Department of Food and Agriculture, which will provide grants to developers and grocery store operators to help establish or maintain grocery stores in these underserved areas. These grants can cover costs like feasibility studies, employee salaries, rent, facility improvements, and equipment. The bill also creates the Food Desert Elimination Fund to hold appropriated state funds and a separate California Equitable Food Access Account to hold non-state, federal, and private donations, which are continuously appropriated for the program. Furthermore, for new housing developments proposed in food deserts, local governments will be required to ensure that the project does not reduce the capacity for a large grocery store, or if it does, that equivalent mitigation, such as dedicating space or contributing funds to the program, is provided. The bill also mandates that local governments report annually on these housing projects. Importantly, the provisions of this bill are set to expire on January 1, 2031.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1674