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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston is pushing for a 1984 law that never went into effect because it was vetoed by then-mayor Dianne Feinstein.
On Tuesday, Preston introduced the Neighborhood Grocery Protection Act. The legislation seeks to “resurrect” a law that was passed by the Board of Supervisors in 1984 and swiftly vetoed by Feinstein, according to Preston’s office.
The act would require community involvement before a grocery store can close in a neighborhood. Grocery stores would also be required to give six-months notice prior to closing.
“It was a good idea in 1984, and it’s an even better idea now,” Preston said. “Our communities need notice, an opportunity to be heard, and a transition plan when major neighborhood grocery stores plan to shut their doors. Meeting the food security needs of our seniors and families cannot be left to unilateral backroom decisions by massive corporate entities.”
Preston’s plan was drawn up after a Safeway store in the Fillmore neighborhood abruptly announced its plan to close in early March. The store located at 1335 Webster Street had served the neighborhood for decades.
A public outcry from residents followed, and after some political wrangling with city leaders, Safeway later agreed to keep the store open until January 2025.
Preston’s office wrote, “After doing extensive research to help push back on the imminent closure, Supervisor Preston’s team found a 1984 law written in response to an abrupt closure of a Safeway at Bush and Larkin Streets, where residents were given only one week’s notice of the closure.”
The new Grocery Protection Act mirrors prior efforts from 40 years ago to require the following:
- Six-months notice prior to close of a neighborhood-serving grocery store
- Requirement to meet with community members prior to closure
- Requirement to explore a replacement supermarket
“Food insecurity is on the rise, especially for seniors and families, as food prices skyrocket and food programs face major cuts,” Preston said. “We need to be doing everything in our power to maintain access to groceries in our neighborhoods.”
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