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Bill > SF1858


MN SF1858

Healthy eating, here at home program transfer to the Department of Health provision, fresh bucks pilot program establishment, and appropriation


summary

Introduced
02/24/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

94th Legislature 2025-2026

Bill Summary

A bill for an act relating to health; transferring the healthy eating, here at home program to the Department of Health; establishing the fresh bucks pilot program; requiring a report; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 7.

AI Summary

This bill transfers the Healthy Eating, Here at Home program from the Minnesota Humanities Center to the Department of Health and establishes a new Fresh Bucks Pilot Program, both aimed at supporting low-income Minnesotans' access to nutritious food. The bill modifies existing law to include SUN bucks (Summer EBT) alongside SNAP benefits and expands the program's scope. Under the Healthy Eating program, nonprofit organizations will continue to receive grants to provide up to $10 vouchers to SNAP or SUN bucks participants for purchasing healthy foods at farmers' markets, mobile markets, and direct-farmer sales. The new Fresh Bucks Pilot Program goes further by offering a dollar-for-dollar match (up to $20 per day and $80 per month) for produce purchases at SNAP retailers. The bill appropriates $500,000 annually for two years for the Healthy Eating program and $1 million annually for two years for the Fresh Bucks Pilot Program. The program will be administered by the Department of Health with assistance from a nonprofit organization, and SNAP retailers must meet specific criteria to participate. The bill also requires an annual report detailing the program's reach, costs, and effectiveness, with the goal of supporting nutritious diet choices for low-income households.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Comm report: To pass and re-referred to Health and Human Services (on 03/20/2025)

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