CA AB581

Creates the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative, a temporary program that operates until July 1, 2017, to expand access to healthy foods in underserved communities and eliminate food deserts.

Establishes the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council, chaired by the State Treasurer, with members including the Secretaries of Food and Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Labor and Workforce Development, to develop financing options and program parameters.

Requires the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to prepare recommendations by July 1, 2012, on actions needed to promote food access in the state, with authority to establish an advisory group of up to 21 members from various stakeholder groups.

Creates the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Fund in the State Treasury, comprised of federal, state, philanthropic, and private funds, to be expended upon legislative appropriation and designed to leverage additional funding sources like tax credits and federal grants.