HF 2225

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/03/2023 04:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing prepared meals food relief grants;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin PREPARED MEALS FOOD RELIEF GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall establish a
prepared meals grant program to provide hunger relief to Minnesotans experiencing food
insecurity and who have difficulty preparing meals due to limited mobility, disability, age,
or resources to prepare their own meal.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees are nonprofit organizations with a
demonstrated history of providing and distributing prepared meals customized for the
population that they serve, including tailoring meals to the cultural, religious, and dietary
needs of the population served.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Applicants for grant funds under this section shall apply to the
commissioner on the forms and according to the timelines established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Allowable uses of grant funds. new text end

new text begin (a) Eligible grantees must use grant funds
awarded under this section to provide meals to individuals between 18 and 60 years of age
experiencing food insecurity and individuals who are not currently eligible for an existing
state or federal meal program.
new text end

new text begin (b) Grant funds must supplement, but not supplant, any state or federal funding used to
provide prepared meals to Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity.
new text end

new text begin (c) Grant funds must be used to increase the number of meals distributed by the grantee,
as compared to the number of meals the grantee distributed in 2022.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties of the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall develop a process
for determining eligible grantees under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) In granting funds, the commissioner shall prioritize nonprofit organizations that:
new text end

new text begin (1) have demonstrated ability to provide prepared meals to racially and geographically
diverse populations at greater risk for food insecurity;
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new text begin (2) work with external community partners to distribute meals targeting nontraditional
meal sites reaching those most in need; and
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new text begin (3) have a demonstrated history of sourcing at least 50 percent of the prepared meal
ingredients from:
new text end

new text begin (i) Minnesota food producers and processors; or
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new text begin (ii) food that is donated or would otherwise be waste.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall consider geographic distribution to ensure statewide coverage
when awarding grants and minimize the number of grantees to simplify administrative
burdens and costs.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall begin issuing grant funds no later than January 15, 2024.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; PREPARED MEALS FOOD RELIEF.
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new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of human services for prepared meals food relief
grants under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end