MN SF153

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the federal coronavirus relief fund in fiscal year 2020 to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to nonprofits to purchase food for emergency distribution to individuals and families in need.

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

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

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

Funds are available until December 30, 2020 and cannot be spent until the commissioner of management and budget certifies expenditures are eligible uses of the federal coronavirus relief fund.