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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — As the government shutdown leaves three million Floridians without SNAP benefits, State Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, has introduced a bill that addresses “food deserts,” aiming to help give residents better access to healthy food by targeting food-insecure areas.
The legislation, titled House Bill 337, authorizes local governments to enact land development regulations permitting land to be used for small-footprint grocery stores selling nutrient-dense food, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
By giving local governments the authority to approve land for these stores, it would potentially stimulate economic development while addressing a critical public health issue.
In doing so, it would allow residents in certain geographic areas who currently have limited or no nearby access to affordable and healthy food a wider range of options, as current zoning rules and timeframes have kept local governments from doing this.
“As individuals and families across our state continue to face rising costs and fewer resources to help them in times of need, we need to work together to ensure everyone has easy access to affordable, healthy food,” Rayner said. “This legislation provides local leaders with the tools they need to bring healthy food options directly into communities that have been historically underserved. Access to healthy, fresh food is a right, not a luxury, and we should all want everyone in our state to be fed.”
If passed, the bill would take effect July 1, 2026.
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