This Minnesota House bill (H.F. No. 2102) proposes funding for the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Grant Program. The bill directs the Commissioner of Agriculture to award grants to eligible applicants to procure and distribute food to communities in need.

Key Provisions:

• Grant Preference will be given to applicants that:

  1. Source 100% of food from Minnesota.
     
  2. Source at least 70% of food from farmers with limited land or market access, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 17.133.
     
  3. Distribute food at no cost to communities in:
     • Census-designated food deserts
       
     • Low- or moderate-income areas with vulnerable subpopulations (e.g., seniors, persons with disabilities).

• Eligible Applicants include but are not limited to:

  • Individuals
    
  • Nonprofit and for-profit organizations
    
  • Tribal governments
    
  • Government entities
    
  • Agricultural cooperatives
    
  • Economic development organizations & educational institutions

• Appropriations:

  • The bill allocates state funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to support this program.

Purpose:

This bill aims to support local farmers, address food insecurity, and improve access to fresh, locally sourced food in underserved communities across Minnesota.