MN HF1287

Appropriates $1,100,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $1,100,000 in fiscal year 2019 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 the six Feeding America food banks serving Minnesota.

Second Harvest Heartland must report to the commissioner as required and on prescribed forms, with authority to use up to 15 percent of the grant for matching administrative and transportation expenses.