Food Desert Elimination Grant Program.

Senator Rubio's Food Desert Elimination Grant Program legislation establishes a new funding mechanism to expand access to healthy foods in California's underserved communities through targeted grants to grocery store operators. The Department of Food and Agriculture would administer the program, awarding funds to businesses establishing new grocery stores in designated food desert areas or upgrading existing stores to enhance their healthy food offerings.

The bill creates two funding streams: the Food Desert Elimination Fund within the state's General Fund and the California Equitable Food Access Account for non-state contributions. Grants may cover market feasibility studies, employee compensation, facility costs, capital improvements, and equipment purchases. The program allocates up to 20% of total funding for equipment upgrades at existing stores and 10% for technical assistance. Both large grocery stores (over 15,000 square feet) and small-scale retailers may receive grants at the department's discretion.

Implementation requires legislative appropriation and department-issued guidelines. The Department must report to legislative committees by January 2028 on the number and location of grant recipients. The program contains a sunset provision, repealing these provisions on December 31, 2030, unless extended by future legislation.