1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money for grants and to identify best 
1.3 	practices for food hubs and alternative community-based food distribution 
1.4 	systems; requiring a report.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; FOOD HUBS AND ALTERNATIVE FOOD 
1.7 	DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS.
 1.8 	$350,000 in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
1.9 	commissioner of agriculture for grants to communities to develop or expand food hubs and 
1.10 	other alternative community-based food distribution systems. Of this amount, $50,000 
1.11 	is appropriated to the commissioner to consult with existing food hubs and alternative 
1.12 	community-based food distribution systems to identify best practices for use by other 
1.13 	Minnesota communities. No later than December 15, 2015, the commissioner must report 
1.14 	to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture and health regarding the 
1.15 	status of emerging alternative community-based food distribution systems in the state 
1.16 	along with recommendations to eliminate any barriers to success.