Critical amendments needed to fix California bill aimed at food deserts | Opinion

While federal and state policies increasingly target immigrants, farmers and families relying on public benefits, other bills are quietly disempowering these same communities. At face value, a new bill from Sen. Susan Rubio, that aims to combat food deserts by creating a state grant program to develop new and existing grocery stores seems promising. But advocates across California warn that the West Covina Democrat’s bill might actually reinforce the very inequities it claims to solve.

If passed, Senate Bill 18 risks allocating taxpayer dollars to large corporate grocers with long histories of worker exploitation, price hikes and community disinvestment.

The bill would establish the Food Desert Elimination Grant Program within the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Grants could support feasibility studies, rent or down payments, land acquisition and demolition costs.

However, the bill defines a grocery store as any retail food outlet 15,000 square feet or larger. While smaller stores may qualify at the state Department of Food and Agriculture’s discretion, this definition clearly favors large corporate chains. Walmart, Kroger, Ahold Delhaize and Costco — all exceeding 30,000 square feet — maintain control of 65% of the grocery market, ensuring their broad eligibility.

While these chains supply groceries to millions, their market dominance often results in higher prices, limited options and suppressed wages. Over 75% of Kroger workers are food insecure and rely on CalFresh or Medi-Cal.

And when profits falter, these corporations abandon communities — creating the very food deserts Rubio’s bill aims to address.

“Communities continuously lose grocery stores because large-scale corporations with distant shareholders prioritize profit over people,” says Shannon Ratliff, board vice president at SunCoast Market Co-op in Imperial Beach. Her co-op, composed of over 1,000 local owners, is preparing to open this summer just as Kroger plans to shutter 60 stores nationwide — a move that threatens jobs and food access.

Small and innovative retailers are already leading this effort, offering healthy food, supporting local economies and prioritizing environmental sustainability. Yet, under SB 18’s current language, community-led initiatives would not qualify for funding. Moreover, for the few fair-labor grocers that may qualify, there’s no requirement to prioritize them. The bill contains no criteria to assess labor practices, community ties or long-term benefits.

While SB 18 passed the Senate, it’s facing deeper scrutiny in the Assembly. During a recent hearing, members questioned its lack of safeguards.

“If I was assured that the grocers would follow through, I’d feel better about it because I worry about my small guy,” said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, who ultimately abstained from voting.

As SB 18 heads to Assembly Appropriations, advocates from the California Food and Farming Network have proposed amendments to prioritize high-road employers like grocers who provide living wages, stable schedules and benefits, prioritize community-based food enterprises (such as co-ops) and require community engagement.

Community-based approaches belong in state legislation as a requirement for thriving neighborhoods after decades of disinvestment. With critical amendments, SB 18 could do just that.

Angelica Sanabria is the narrative and network coordinator for the California Food and Farming Network.