BILL NUMBER: AB 537	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Arambula

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act to add Section 412 to the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to agriculture.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 537, as introduced, Arambula. Agriculture: direct marketing:
farmers' markets.
   Existing law authorizes the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to
adopt regulations to encourage the direct sale by farmers to the
public of all types of California agricultural products. Existing law
authorizes farmers to sell the agricultural products they produce
directly to the public at certified farmers' markets, field retail
stands, and farm stands, as provided.
   This bill would require the secretary to increase access to
healthy food for all Californians by allowing redemption of all
nutrition program forms of payment at farmers' markets, and to invest
in sustainable models of distribution for California-grown products
to retail markets in low-income neighborhoods.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 412 is added to the Food and Agricultural Code,
to read:
   412.  The secretary shall increase access to healthy food for all
Californians by allowing redemption of all nutrition program forms of
payment at farmers' markets, and invest in sustainable models of
distribution for California-grown products to retail markets in
low-income neighborhoods.