Food Desert Elimination Grant Program.

Senator Rubio's Food Affordability Act establishes a grant program within California's Department of Food and Agriculture to expand access to healthy foods in areas designated as food deserts by the USDA Economic Research Service. The program provides financial support to grocery store operators seeking to establish new locations or maintain existing stores in underserved communities.

The legislation creates the Food Desert Elimination Fund to finance grants for market feasibility studies, employee compensation, facility acquisition, capital improvements, and equipment purchases. The Department may award grants to both traditional grocery stores (over 15,000 square feet) and small-scale retailers (under 15,000 square feet). The fund accepts state appropriations as well as federal and private contributions through a dedicated California Equitable Food Access Account.

The Department must report grant distribution data and recipient locations to legislative policy committees by January 2028. The program includes a 10% allocation for technical assistance and requires formal appropriation before implementation. Under the bill's sunset provision, the program expires on December 31, 2030, unless extended by future legislation.