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SB 127

Baltimore County Food Desert Study

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Johnny Salling

SB 127 requires Baltimore County to study food deserts and barriers to food access, producing recommendations to improve nutrition availability in underserved communities.

Hearing canceled
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Bill Summary · SB 127

Legislative bill overview

SB 127 directs Baltimore County to conduct a comprehensive study identifying food deserts within the county and analyzing barriers to food access in underserved communities. The bill establishes requirements for data collection, community input, and recommendations for addressing identified gaps in food availability.

Why is this important

Food deserts—areas lacking access to affordable, nutritious food—correlate with higher rates of diet-related diseases, obesity, and health disparities in low-income communities. A formal study could inform targeted interventions like grocery store incentives, mobile markets, or community garden programs that improve public health outcomes and economic opportunity in underserved areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation: The study's scope, timeline, and budget allocation are unspecified, raising questions about feasibility and fiscal impact on Baltimore County resources
  • Definition and measurement: Disagreement may arise over how "food desert" is defined (distance to stores, product availability, affordability) and which communities qualify, affecting who receives resources
  • Follow-through concerns: Critics may question whether study recommendations will actually lead to funded solutions or remain a document without meaningful policy action

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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