Supporters say the legislation could particularly affect communities with limited access to full-service grocery stores. Desgined by Magnific

 

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation allowing certain restrictions that prevent new grocery stores from opening on properties previously occupied by grocers to be removed.

Assembly Bill 1857, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, establishes a process to remove qualifying restrictive covenants from deeds and land-use agreements. According to Aguiar-Curry’s office, those restrictions can prevent another grocery store from operating at a property for years or even decades after the previous store closes or relocates.

“Just because a grocery store closes doesn’t mean a community should have to go without one,” Aguiar-Curry said. “AB 1857 removes an unnecessary roadblock that can keep new grocery stores from coming in.”

Supporters say the legislation could particularly affect communities with limited access to full-service grocery stores. According to the release announcing the governor’s signature, nearly 3 million low-income Californians live in areas considered food deserts, where residents lack consistent access to affordable, healthy food.

Without nearby full-service grocery stores, residents may need to travel farther to buy groceries or rely on smaller stores that may offer fewer options or higher prices.

“If a grocer decides they can’t make their business work in a certain location, that’s always sad,” Aguiar-Curry said. “But, keeping the community they served from being able to find another grocer to take their place can be really harmful to families trying to put good food on their table.”

The California Food and Farming Network and Economic Security California Action sponsored the legislation.

Beth Smoker, policy director for the California Food and Farming Network, said restrictive covenants can contribute to limited grocery access and higher food costs.

The new law provides interested parties with a process to remove qualifying restrictions, potentially allowing another grocery business to operate at a former grocery store location.