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 their EBT cards, up to $20 per day and a monthly limit of $80.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for annual reporting by nonprofit organizations that receive grant funds, detailing the operation of the program and its effectiveness. It appropriates $500,000 for the Healthy Eating program and $1,000,000 for the Fresh Bucks Pilot Program for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill repeals a previous subdivision related to grocery store inclusion in the program, streamlining the focus on farmers' markets and direct sales. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve access to healthy food options for low-income Minnesotans while ensuring effective program administration and accountability.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 138.912
1st Engrossment: 138.912