BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2413 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 2413 (John A. Pèrez) As Amended August 19, 2014 Majority vote ----------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |75-0 |(May 19, 2014) |SENATE: |30-1 |(August 21, | | | | | | |2014) | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: AGRI. SUMMARY : Creates the Office of Farm to Fork (OFF) within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), both 1) to work with various entities involved in promoting food access, and 2) to increase the amount of agricultural products available to schools and underserved communities in the state of California (state). The Senate Amendments : 1)Add clarifying language on available funding. 2)Require CDFA, until January 1, 2020, to submit a financial report to the Legislature, if funds are received or expended in the Farm to Fork Account. EXISTING LAW establishes the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative for the purpose of promoting healthy food access in the state. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, costs to CDFA to create a new account within the Food and Agriculture Fund would be minor and absorbable. COMMENTS : Farm to Fork (F2F) is a term that encompasses efforts that bring local or regionally produced foods to people who want or need access to these products. F2F is currently being accomplished in many different ways in California. It can be seen in farmer's markets, community supported agriculture (CSA), and other venues where people can buy food directly from growers. Other examples are farm to school programs that increase access and awareness for fresh fruits and vegetables through the use of school gardens and education, and community and urban gardens that help communities grow their own foods. AB 2413 Page 2 At the state level, CDFA, the California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health are working on F2F issues. By creating OFF within CDFA to coordinate with state and federal agencies, along with private and public organizations, this bill will help streamline F2F efforts. CDFA is uniquely situated to administer OFF due to CDFA's knowledge of the agricultural industry, and CDFA's ability to bring farmers together with a variety of public and private organizations to increase the supply of healthy food. Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 FN: 0005007