Established by legislation passed in 2016, the Good Food Access Program's purpose is to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, for underserved communities in low-income and moderate-income areas by providing financial support and sustainable public-private projects to open, renovate, or expand the operations of grocery stores and small food retailers; expanding access to credit and reducing barriers to investment in underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas; and to provide technical assistance, primarily for small food retailers with demonstrated need. The legislation also created the Good Food Access Account in the Agricultural Fund.
The commissioner of agriculture, in cooperation with the Good Food Access Program Advisory Committee, shall manage the program, establish program criteria, facilitate leveraging of additional public and private investment, promote the program statewide, and shall establish annual monitoring and accountability mechanisms for all projects receiving financing or other financial or technical assistance through this program.
The committee does not expire.