MN HF145

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the federal coronavirus relief fund in fiscal year 2020 to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to nonprofit organizations to purchase and distribute food to individuals and families in need through the emergency feeding network.

Allocates $5,700,000 to Second Harvest Heartland with requirements to give preference to food produced by emerging farmers and use at least 50 percent of funding to acquire food from Minnesota producers and processors negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Allocates $300,000 to The Food Group with a requirement to use at least 50 percent of funding to acquire food from Minnesota producers and processors negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Requires the commissioner of agriculture to report to legislative agriculture finance committees by February 1, 2021 on the amounts and sources of food purchased and organizations receiving the food.

Makes funds available only until December 30, 2020 and requires commissioner of management and budget approval that expenditures are eligible uses of the federal coronavirus relief fund.