1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; establishing a farm-to-foodshelf program; appropriating 
1.3 	money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; FARM-TO-FOODSHELF PROGRAM.
 1.6 	$1,100,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $1,100,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated 
1.7 	from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for a grant in each year to 
1.8 	Second Harvest Heartland on behalf of the six Feeding America food banks that serve 
1.9 	Minnesota to compensate agricultural producers and processors for costs incurred 
1.10 	to harvest and package for transfer surplus fruits, vegetables, or other agricultural 
1.11 	commodities that would otherwise go unharvested, be discarded, or be sold in a secondary 
1.12 	market. Surplus commodities must be distributed statewide to food shelves and other 
1.13 	charitable organizations that are eligible to receive food from the food banks. Surplus 
1.14 	food acquired under this appropriation must be from Minnesota producers and processors. 
1.15 	When required by the commissioner, Second Harvest Heartland must report to the 
1.16 	commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner on the use of the grant money 
1.17 	under this section. Second Harvest Heartland may use up to 11 percent of the grant for 
1.18 	administrative expenses and up to four percent of the grant for transportation expenses. 
1.19 	This appropriation is added to the base of the agency.