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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stella Pekarsky

Creates an Agriculture Department program to boost access to fresh, nutritious food and nutrition education in food deserts, plus sharing best practices and annual meetings.

Failed to report (defeated) in Education and Health (6-Y 7-N 2-A)

Main purpose / intent

The bill directs the state Department of Agriculture to create and run an “access to nutritious food” program targeted at “food deserts.” Its stated goals are to (1) increase distribution of fresh, nutritious foods in underserved areas and (2) provide education in food preparation and nutrition. The program is also intended to promote sharing of best practices and to convene stakeholders annually.

Key provisions

Adds a new statutory section (Department of Agriculture Law) establishing the “access to nutritious food program.”

Definitions:

“Food desert” — an underserved area, defined by any of the following:
A rural town or urban neighborhood where at least 25% of households are below the federal poverty level, or median family income is ≤ 80% of the State median;
A rural town, urban neighborhood, or metropolitan census tract with ≥ 500 residents or ≥ 33% of residents living more than one mile from a supermarket/large grocery store;
A nonmetropolitan census tract with ≥ 500 residents or ≥ 33% of residents living more than 10 miles from a supermarket/large grocery store.
“Program” — the Department’s access to nutritious food program created under the section.

Program duties:

Establish and operate projects and strategies within designated food deserts to (a) distribute fresh and nutritious food and (b) provide education on food preparation and nutrition.
Promote sharing of information on effective best practices and program models (including projects created under the statute).
Convene an annual meeting of nonprofit organizations and other interested parties to share best practices and information on effective distribution and nutrition education projects.

Who is affected

Residents of areas designated as “food deserts” (per the statutory definition).

The Department of Agriculture (responsible for program administration).

Nonprofits, community organizations, local governments, service providers, and retailers that participate in projects or attend annual convenings.

Potentially private-sector partners (food distributors, grocers) if the Department contracts or partners to expand distribution.

Fiscal and procedural notes

The bill text provided does not specify funding sources, appropriations, or mandatory grant-making authority. Implementation would likely require administrative resources; funding implications depend on subsequent appropriations or rulemaking.

The bill requires the Department to convene an annual stakeholder meeting and to promote information-sharing; no enforcement or compliance penalties are included.

Potential impact / considerations

Could increase availability of fresh foods and nutrition education in underserved areas, supporting public health and food-security objectives.

Practical impact will depend on program funding, staffing, metrics for identifying food deserts, and partnerships with local organizations and retailers.

Implementation questions include program scope (grants vs. Department-run projects), data collection/metrics, and coordination with existing federal/state nutrition programs.

Bill