This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.9752, to enhance senior nutrition programs by broadening their goals and support services for older adults. The bill replaces the term "seniors" with "older adults" throughout the statute, emphasizing a more inclusive approach. It introduces a new goal for nutrition programs to coordinate with health and long-term care systems, emergency preparedness systems, and other stakeholders to support the health and wellness of older adults. Additionally, it establishes a food delivery support account to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for transporting home-delivered meals and groceries to individuals facing food insecurity due to limited mobility, disability, age, or resources.

The bill also outlines the allocation of state nutrition support and food delivery support funds to area agencies on aging, allowing them to address the specific needs of older adults in their service areas. It expands the permissible uses of allocated funds to include transportation of meals and groceries, outreach for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), nutrition screening assessments, and the provision of medically tailored meals. Furthermore, it allows area agencies to transfer unused funding for nutrition support services to support congregate dining services and home-delivered meals, ensuring a flexible and responsive approach to the nutritional needs of older adults in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256.9752