California Assembly Bill 408—the Climate-Resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024—was passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee on July 3, 2023. The bill, which is authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) and Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael), proposes a $3.4 billion bond to fund programs that support resilient agriculture and healthy food access in California.
The bond would be used to fund projects in four areas:
- Resilient agriculture—funding for farmers to transition to organic, emergency relief for underserved farmers facing climate impacts, and investment in protecting agricultural lands and improving land access.
- Farmworker protection—funding for housing, health care, and education programs for farmworkers.
- Healthy food access—funding for kitchen and dining infrastructure and community food procurement with organic food sources prioritized.
- Regional food infrastructure—funding for food processing and distribution facilities and improved food storage and transportation.
AB 408 is a significant step forward for California’s food system. AB 408 prepares California for the future by investing in climate-resilient farms, farmworker well-being, and healthy food access.
The bill is now headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee. If AB 408 passes out of the Senate and is signed into law by the Governor, it will be placed on the November 2024 ballot for a vote by California voters.