1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; establishing prepared meals food relief grants; 
1.3 	appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. PREPARED MEALS FOOD RELIEF GRANTS.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The commissioner of human services shall establish a 
1.7 	prepared meals grant program to provide hunger relief to Minnesotans experiencing food 
1.8 	insecurity and who have difficulty preparing meals due to limited mobility, disability, age, 
1.9 	or resources to prepare their own meal.
1.10 		Subd. 2.Eligible grantees. Eligible grantees are nonprofit organizations with a 
1.11 	demonstrated history of providing and distributing prepared meals customized for the 
1.12 	population that they serve, including tailoring meals to the cultural, religious, and dietary 
1.13 	needs of the population served.
1.14 		Subd. 3.Application. Applicants for grant funds under this section shall apply to the 
1.15 	commissioner on the forms and according to the timelines established by the commissioner.
1.16 		Subd. 4.Allowable uses of grant funds. (a) Eligible grantees must use grant funds 
1.17 	awarded under this section to provide meals to individuals between 18 and 60 years of age 
1.18 	experiencing food insecurity and individuals who are not currently eligible for an existing 
1.19 	state or federal meal program.
1.20 	(b) Grant funds must supplement, but not supplant, any state or federal funding used to 
1.21 	provide prepared meals to Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity.
2.1 	(c) Grant funds must be used to increase the number of meals distributed by the grantee, 
2.2 	as compared to the number of meals the grantee distributed in 2022.
2.3 		Subd. 5.Duties of the commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall develop a process 
2.4 	for determining eligible grantees under this section.
2.5 	(b) In granting funds, the commissioner shall prioritize nonprofit organizations that:
2.6 	(1) have demonstrated ability to provide prepared meals to racially and geographically 
2.7 	diverse populations at greater risk for food insecurity;
2.8 	(2) work with external community partners to distribute meals targeting nontraditional 
2.9 	meal sites reaching those most in need; and
2.10 	(3) have a demonstrated history of sourcing at least 50 percent of the prepared meal 
2.11 	ingredients from:
2.12 	(i) Minnesota food producers and processors; or
2.13 	(ii) food that is donated or would otherwise be waste.
2.14 	(c) The commissioner shall consider geographic distribution to ensure statewide coverage 
2.15 	when awarding grants and minimize the number of grantees to simplify administrative 
2.16 	burdens and costs.
2.17 	(d) The commissioner shall begin issuing grant funds no later than January 15, 2024.

2.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.19 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS; PREPARED MEALS FOOD RELIEF.
 2.20 	$5,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 are appropriated from 
2.21 	the general fund to the commissioner of human services for prepared meals food relief 
2.22 	grants under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.

2.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.