Florida Senate - 2022                                    SB 1902
       
       
        
       By Senator Torres
       
       
       
       
       
       15-01675-22                                           20221902__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Farm-to-Plate Investment Plan;
    3         creating s. 570.237, F.S.; requiring the Department of
    4         Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop a plan
    5         with recommendations for legislative action to
    6         stabilize and revitalize farm and food businesses in
    7         the state; providing plan requirements; authorizing
    8         the department to take certain actions in developing
    9         the plan; requiring the department to submit the plan
   10         to the Governor and Legislature by a specified date;
   11         providing an effective date.
   12          
   13  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   14  
   15         Section 1. Section 570.237, Florida Statutes, is created to
   16  read:
   17         570.237 Farm-to-Plate Investment Plan.—
   18         (1) The department shall develop a Farm-to-Plate Investment
   19  Plan with recommendations for legislative action to stabilize
   20  and revitalize farm and food businesses in the state.
   21         (2) At a minimum, the plan must include strategies to:
   22         (a) Increase the economic output, employment, and
   23  establishment of farm and food businesses.
   24         (b) Increase demand for food grown in the state.
   25         (c) Diversify the state’s agricultural production
   26  portfolio; increase the economic viability of farm and food
   27  businesses; and provide such businesses with equitable access to
   28  capital and infrastructure for production, processing,
   29  aggregation, and distribution.
   30         (d) Provide farm and food jobs or careers with livable
   31  wages; safe, healthy, and supportive workplace conditions; and
   32  access to health care and other benefits.
   33         (e) Provide accessible and equitable opportunities to gain
   34  knowledge and skills for farm and food jobs or careers.
   35         (f) Assist farm and food businesses in increasing carbon
   36  sequestration; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and adapting
   37  to climate changes due to global warming, including, but not
   38  limited to, floods, droughts, natural disasters, and serious
   39  pest and disease threats.
   40         (g) Support, compensate, and recognize farm stewardship
   41  that increases ecological diversity, improves soil and water
   42  quality, and makes positive contributions to the environment and
   43  public good.
   44         (h) Ensure that agricultural land remains in productive
   45  agricultural use and access to such land is more affordable and
   46  equitable.
   47         (i) Require land use planning decisions to maintain and
   48  promote strong and viable farm and food businesses.
   49         (j) Ensure that edible food, food scraps, and other food
   50  residuals are not treated or disposed of as waste.
   51         (k) Increase the amount of food grown in the state that
   52  meets the dietary and cultural needs of people in the state.
   53         (l) Expand financial resources for people in the state to
   54  access food grown in the state, including programs that provide
   55  support for purchasing food.
   56         (m) Increase the number of locations where food grown in
   57  the state is sold, served, or provided.
   58         (n) Ensure the food security of the state in order to
   59  provide adequate and accessible healthy food grown in the state
   60  during a state of emergency, including, but not limited to,
   61  climate-related natural disasters.
   62         (o) Support farm and food businesses and stakeholders in
   63  prioritizing racial equity.
   64         (p) Support existing farm-to-school programs to increase
   65  the purchase of food grown in the state, with an emphasis on the
   66  procurement of nutrient-dense food.
   67         (q) Market and promote food grown in the state within and
   68  outside the state.
   69         (3) In developing the plan, the department may:
   70         (a) Consult and contract with public and private entities.
   71         (b) Hire and assign staff.
   72         (c) Seek and accept funds from public and private entities.
   73         (d) Take any other actions necessary for developing the
   74  plan.
   75         (4) By October 1, 2024, the department shall submit the
   76  plan with recommendations for legislative action to the
   77  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
   78  House of Representatives.
   79         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.