Food & Agriculture
Urban Agriculture Ordinance
Stockton’s first Urban Agricultural Ordinance for those who live within the city limits of Stockton was approved by the Stockton City Council on September 15, 2020. The ordinance makes it possible for Stockton residents to keep chickens (no roosters), ducks and/or bees, and allows for additional types of produce stands to sell locally grown fruits and vegetables.
- City Council approves adoption of Stockton's first Urban Agricultural Ordinance
- Planning Commission Approved Resolution Urban Agriculture Ordinance
For additional information, including permit requirements, sale of produce options, limits on numbers and types of animals, lot size and setback requirements, please contact the Community Development Department.
Stocked Full of Produce Grant Program
The City’s Stocked Full of Produce Grant Program addresses food insecurity through grant funding to help with infrastructure upgrades to retail stores, to promote sale and storage of healthier food options. These grants can be used for improvements, such as installing new refrigeration or shelving.
The City is able to offer this grant using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Federal Funding and partnering with the Refresh San Joaquin to address food insecurity in Stockton.
Eligible properties must be:
- retail outlets such as corner stores or convenience stores and
- located within targeted zones with Stockton city limits. View the Stocked Full of Produce map.
No application fees required for this program.
- Stocked Full of Produce Program Guidelines
- Stocked Full of Produce Brochure
- Stocked Full of Produce Brochure- Spanish
Applications
Applications are available in multiple languages. Use the link below to access the application portal.
Apply for the Stocked Full of Produce Grant Program.
Eligible Projects
- Only retail properties – such as convenience stores or corner stores – in targeted areas of City of Stockton are eligible. Properties outside of these areas will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with CDBG regulations.
- See Food Deserts Map in External Links.
- Grants can only be used for:
- interior upgrades such as shelving or storage,
- cosmetic enhancements to improve store layout store and encourage customers to buy healthier food options,
- infrastructure improvements to building,
- eligible equipment such as cold storage units, and
- labor for installation of improvements.
- Properties are eligible for one grant under this program.
- Property must remain in compliance with all program guidelines and be maintained consistent with City building and zoning codes.
- These grants are provided at the discretion of the Director of the Economic Development Department, or designee, based upon staff recommendation.
- Maximum grant funding: $10,000 per project
Food and Ag Plan
- In 2015, the City Council adopted the “City of Stockton Economic Development Strategic Plan” to focus on strong food and agriculture-related assets in the region.
- By summer 2016, the City and Valley Vision worked to develop a Food and Agriculture Action Plan.
- Published in 2017, the Action Plan created a roadmap for addressing topics such as:
- fostering a supportive agricultural enterprise ecosystem,
- promoting food and beverage manufacturing,
- agricultural workforce development,
- addressing food insecurity, and
- leveraging the region’s agricultural bounty & entrepreneurial spirit.
Current efforts are underway to implement the Action Plan recommendations, including the rollout of a new infrastructure grant program, Stocked Full of Produce, and the development of the Stockton Urban Ag Ordinance.
Food and Ag Activities to Date
March 2018: AgPlus Stockton
Small business forum in partnership with AgPlus Fresno highlights resources available to small agriculture and food manufacturing businesses.
March & April 2018: Urban Ag Ordinance Community Meetings
Series of community meetings spotlight the development of an Urban Ag Ordinance.
May 2018: Feast at the Fox
Farm-to-table dining experience in partnership with Visit Stockton, the City of Stockton, and Delta College Culinary Arts Program.
May 2018: Stocked Full of Produce Grant Program
Program for food insecurity that offers retail stores grant funding to assist with needed infrastructure upgrades to promote sale and storage of healthier food options.
June & July 2018: Urban Ag Ordinance Community Meetings
July 2020: Planning Commission approved Urban Ag Ordinance
September 2020: Urban Ag Ordinance approved by City Council
Contact the Economic Development Department for information about upcoming meetings.
External Links
This City of Stockton web page last reviewed on --- 10/9/2020