This bill proposes changes to Minnesota’s healthy food incentive programs for low-income residents. Key provisions include:

1. Transferring the Healthy Eating Here at Home Program – The bill moves the program's administration from the Minnesota Humanities Center to the Minnesota Department of Health. This program provides incentives for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) recipients to purchase healthy food at farmers markets, mobile markets, and direct farmer sales (including community-supported agriculture).

2. Defining Key Terms – The bill clarifies definitions related to the program, including what constitutes "healthy purchases," "Minnesota-based farmers markets," and "eligible households."

3. Grant Allocations – The Department of Health will allocate grant funds to nonprofit organizations working with farmers markets or engaged in food outreach to distribute vouchers encouraging healthy food purchases.

4. Household Eligibility – Households must meet Minnesota SNAP or Summer EBT eligibility requirements to receive vouchers.

5. Reporting Requirements – Nonprofit grant recipients must report program operation details annually to the Department of Health, including voucher distribution, participation, and effectiveness.

6. Establishing the Fresh Bucks Pilot Program – The bill creates a new program to provide a dollar-for-dollar match (up to $20 per day, $80 per month) for SNAP and Summer EBT households purchasing fresh produce from participating retailers.

7. Program Administration – A nonprofit organization under the Department of Health’s supervision will implement the Fresh Bucks Pilot, establish guidelines, select retailers, manage reimbursements, and monitor program spending.

8. Retailer Participation Criteria – SNAP retailers must meet eligibility requirements, including compliance with federal rules, readiness to implement the program within 90 days, and willingness to participate in program marketing, data collection, audits, and reporting.

9. Federal Waiver Request – The Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families must request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow SNAP retailers to provide produce discounts.

10. Legislative Reporting – The Department of Health, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization, must report to the legislature on the program’s reach, effectiveness, costs, and participating retailers.

This bill aims to improve access to fresh and nutritious foods for low-income Minnesotans by expanding existing programs and establishing a new pilot initiative.