Section 3604 - [Expires Effective 8/29/2027] Food access strategy(a) The Council shall, subject to appropriation, develop a food access strategy to address food insecurity impacting populations within urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the state. (1) The strategy may include the following: a. An analysis of identified vulnerabilities and concentrations of food insecurity risk, as well as a summary of the causes of food insecurity.b. An inventory of food resources located throughout the state and a summary of specific barriers and solutions identified by distribution and retail operators.c. An assessment of needs or gaps identified by food supply chain operators or individuals pursuing ownership or operation of a food resource, with particular attention to those independent retail operations.d. A set of recommendations to address limited food access, the availability of nutritious food options, and to facilitate the expansion of foods, including nutrient rich foods, into food deserts and areas at risk of becoming food deserts.(b) The Council shall consult with public and private food resources, as well as state and non-state entities for the purposes of creation, ongoing evaluation, implementation, and consideration of the food access strategy.(c) The Council shall issue a report documenting the food access strategy and submit the report to members of the General Assembly and the Office of the Governor by June 1, 2025.Added by Laws 2023, ch. 373,s 1, eff. 8/29/2024, exp. 8/29/2027.