This bill aims to enhance health initiatives in Minnesota by transferring the "healthy eating, here at home" program from the Minnesota Humanities Center to the Department of Health, effective July 1, 2025. The program will provide incentives for low-income residents to utilize federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or SUN bucks (Summer EBT) at local farmers' markets and direct-farmer sales. The bill also establishes a new "fresh bucks pilot program," which allows eligible households to receive a dollar-for-dollar match on produce purchases made with EBT cards, up to $20 per day and a monthly limit of $80. The bill includes provisions for annual reporting on program effectiveness and participation.

Additionally, the bill appropriates funds totaling $2 million from the general fund for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support both the healthy eating program and the fresh bucks pilot program. It repeals a previous subdivision related to grocery store participation in the program, which required the commissioner of children, youth, and families to seek federal approval for grocery store inclusion. The revisor of statutes is instructed to renumber the relevant sections accordingly.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 138.912
1st Engrossment: 138.912