MN HF3363

Establishes a good food access program within the Department of Agriculture to increase availability of affordable, nutritious food in underserved communities through financial and technical assistance to grocery stores and small food retailers.

Creates a good food access account in the agricultural fund with an initial appropriation of $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund, with no more than 15 percent reserved for administrative costs.

Eligible projects must be located in or serve underserved communities in low-income or moderate-income areas and include new construction, renovations, expansions, or infrastructure upgrades of grocery stores and small food retailers.

Recipients must accept SNAP and WIC benefits, allocate at least 30 percent of retail space to nutritious foods including fresh produce and proteins, comply with data collection requirements, and promote hiring of local residents from low-income areas for at least five years.

Requires annual reports to the legislature by January 15 documenting number and types of projects financed, dollars leveraged, geographic distribution, SNAP/WIC spending, jobs created or retained, and measurable economic and health outcomes.