HF 2404

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; providing for grants to food shelves for the purchase
of milk; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; GRANT FOR FOOD BANK MILK PURCHASES.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to Second Harvest
Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's six Second Harvest food banks for the purchase of
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 lowest-cost bids. The milk
must be allocated to each Second Harvest 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 (TEFAP). Second Harvest Heartland must
submit quarterly reports to the commissioner of agriculture on forms prescribed by the
commissioner of agriculture. The reports must include, but are not limited to, information
on the expenditure of funds, the amount of milk purchased, and the organizations to which
the milk was distributed. No later than February 1, 2009, the commissioner of agriculture
must report to the house and senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
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 receiving
money from this appropriation may use up to two percent of the grant for administrative
expenses.
new text end