HB 1573 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1573-00
Page 1 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to Farm -to-Plate Investment Plan; 2
creating s. 570.237, F.S.; requiring the Department of 3
Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop a plan 4
with recommendations for legislative action to 5
stabilize and revitalize farm and food businesses in 6
the state; providing plan requirements; authorizing 7
the department to take certain actions in developing 8
the plan; requiring the department to submit the plan 9
to the Governor and Legislature by a specified date; 10
providing an effective date. 11
12
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 13
14
Section 1. Section 570.237, Florida Statutes, is created 15
to read: 16
570.237 Farm-to-Plate Investment Plan. - 17
(1) The department shall develop a Farm -to-Plate 18
Investment Plan with recommendations for legislative action to 19
stabilize and revitalize farm and food businesses in the state. 20
(2) At a minimum, the plan must include strategies to: 21
(a) Increase the economic output, employment, and 22
establishment of farm and food businesses. 23
(b) Increase demand for food grown in the state. 24
(c) Diversify the state's agricultural production 25
HB 1573 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1573-00
Page 2 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
portfolio; increase the economic viability of farm and food 26
businesses; and provide such businesses with equitable access to 27
capital and infrastructure for production, processing, 28
aggregation, and distribution. 29
(d) Provide farm and food jobs or careers with livable 30
wages; safe, healthy, and supportive workplace conditions; and 31
access to health care and other benefits. 32
(e) Provide accessible and equitable opportunities to gain 33
knowledge and skills for farm and food jobs or careers. 34
(f) Assist farm and food businesses in increasing carbon 35
sequestration; reducing greenhouse gas em issions; and adapting 36
to climate changes due to global warming, including, but not 37
limited to, floods, droughts, natural disasters, and serious 38
pest and disease threats. 39
(g) Support, compensate, and recognize farm stewardship 40
that increases ecological di versity, improves soil and water 41
quality, and makes positive contributions to the environment and 42
public good. 43
(h) Ensure that agricultural land remains in productive 44
agricultural use and access to such land is more affordable and 45
equitable. 46
(i) Require land use planning decisions to maintain and 47
promote strong and viable farm and food businesses. 48
(j) Ensure that edible food, food scraps, and other food 49
residuals are not treated or disposed of as waste. 50
HB 1573 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1573-00
Page 3 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(k) Increase the amount of food grown in the state that 51
meets the dietary and cultural needs of people in the state. 52
(l) Expand financial resources for people in the state to 53
access food grown in the state, including programs that provide 54
support for purchasing food. 55
(m) Increase the number of locations where food grown in 56
the state is sold, served, or provided. 57
(n) Ensure the food security of the state in order to 58
provide adequate and accessible healthy food grown in the state 59
during a state of emergency, including, but not limited to, 60
climate-related natural disasters. 61
(o) Support farm and food businesses and stakeholders in 62
prioritizing racial equity. 63
(p) Support existing farm -to-school programs to increase 64
the purchase of food grown in the state, with an emphasis on the 65
procurement of nutrient-dense food. 66
(q) Market and promote food grown in the state within and 67
outside the state. 68
(3) In developing the plan, the department may: 69
(a) Consult and contract with public and private entities. 70
(b) Hire and assign staff. 71
(c) Seek and accept funds from public and private 72
entities. 73
(d) Take any other actions necessary for developing the 74
plan. 75
HB 1573 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1573-00
Page 4 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(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. 80