MN HF1107

Appropriates $1,100,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $1,100,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to Second Harvest Heartland.

Grants compensate agricultural producers and processors for costs to harvest and package surplus fruits, vegetables, and other commodities that would otherwise go unharvested, discarded, or sold in secondary markets.

Surplus commodities must be sourced from Minnesota producers and processors and distributed statewide to food shelves and eligible charitable organizations through six Feeding America food banks serving Minnesota.

Second Harvest Heartland may use up to 11 percent of grant funds for administrative expenses and up to 4 percent for transportation expenses.

Second Harvest Heartland must report to the commissioner on grant money usage in a form prescribed by the commissioner, and the appropriation is added to the agency's base funding.