This bill establishes a new section in Florida law, specifically Section 163.31791, aimed at addressing food insecurity in designated areas. The legislation recognizes that access to affordable and healthy food options is limited in certain regions, which poses a risk to public health. To combat this issue, the bill allows local governments to create land development regulations that facilitate the establishment of small-footprint grocery stores in food insecure areas. It also permits local governments to incorporate provisions for these grocery stores into their comprehensive plans and mandates the reporting of specific information from these stores.
The bill defines key terms such as "food insecure area," which refers to locations identified as having high poverty rates and limited access to supermarkets, and "small-footprint grocery store," which must derive a significant portion of its sales from nutrient-dense foods. By enabling local governments to support the development of these grocery stores, the legislation aims to improve access to nutritious food options for residents in underserved communities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.