HF 1705

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/10/2025 04:51 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; requiring reports; appropriating money for the farm to food
shelf program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $1,950,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,950,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to Second Harvest
Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's five Feeding America food banks for the following
purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) at least $850,000 each year must be allocated to purchase milk for distribution to
Minnesota's food shelves and other charitable organizations that are eligible to receive food
from the food banks. Milk purchased under the grants must be acquired from Minnesota
milk processors and based on low-cost bids. The milk must be allocated to each Feeding
America food bank serving Minnesota according to the formula used in the distribution of
United States Department of Agriculture commodities under The Emergency Food Assistance
Program. Second Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts or agreements with food banks
for shared funding or reimbursement of the direct purchase of milk. Each food bank that
receives funding under this clause may use up to two percent for administrative expenses.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered balance the first
year does not cancel and is available the second year;
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new text begin (2) to compensate agricultural producers and processors for costs incurred to harvest
and package for transfer surplus fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural commodities that
would otherwise go unharvested, be discarded, or be sold in a secondary market. Surplus
commodities must be distributed statewide to food shelves and other charitable organizations
that are eligible to receive food from the food banks. Surplus food acquired under this clause
must be from Minnesota producers and processors. Second Harvest Heartland may use up
to 15 percent of each grant awarded under this clause for administrative and transportation
expenses;
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new text begin (3) to purchase and distribute protein products, including but not limited to pork, poultry,
beef, dry legumes, cheese, and eggs to Minnesota's food shelves and other charitable
organizations that are eligible to receive food from the food banks. Second Harvest Heartland
may use up to two percent of each grant awarded under this clause for administrative
expenses. Protein products purchased under the grants must be acquired from Minnesota
processors and producers; and
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new text begin (4) $500,000 each year is to purchase produce from The Good Acre. Second Harvest
Heartland may use up to two percent of funding under this clause for administrative expenses.
new text end

new text begin (b) Second Harvest Heartland must submit quarterly reports to the commissioner and
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over agriculture finance in the form prescribed by the commissioner. The reports must
include but are not limited to information on the expenditure of funds, the amount of milk
or other commodities purchased, and the organizations to which this food was distributed.
The base for this appropriation is $1,950,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
new text end