HSC §123310: The department, under any program established pursuant to this article, shall authorize retail food vendors, by written agreement, to accept nutrition coupons and reimbursement according to the system

The department, under any program established pursuant to this article, shall authorize retail food vendors, by written agreement, to accept nutrition coupons and reimbursement according to the system developed by the department. The department shall authorize an appropriate number and distribution of food vendors in order to ensure adequate participant convenience and access and to ensure that state or local officials can effectively manage review of authorized food vendors in their jurisdictions. The department shall establish criteria to limit the number of retail food vendors with which the department enters into agreements. The criteria, at a minimum, shall include: (a) The prices the vendor charges for foods in relation to other vendors in its peer group. For purposes of this subdivision, “peer group” means a group of vendors with similar characteristics that may include, but shall not be limited to, any or all of the following: (1) Geographic location of the store. (2) Store size. (3) Type of store. (4) Number of cash registers. (5) Sales volume relating to any program established pursuant to this article. (6) Gross sales volume. (7) Inventory. (8) Other vendor characteristics established by the department. (b) The ability of the department to ensure that authorized supplemental foods will be provided through in-store compliance purchases. (c) The adequacy of the shelf stock of the authorized supplemental foods. (d) Past performance of the vendor in compliance with this article and with CalFresh.