Purpose

• The bill would provide a one-time financial grant to support food shelves in Minnesota. It aims to fund food shelves that are enrolled in the Minnesota FoodShare program by directing a grant from the general fund to the state’s Children, Youth, and Families agency (via the commissioner).

Main Provisions

• Funding amount and source: A one-time appropriation of 1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 from the general fund.
• Recipient and use: The grant is given to the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches to provide funding to food shelves enrolled in the Minnesota FoodShare program.
• Distribution method: The grant funds must be distributed to food shelves using the Minnesota FoodShare program’s distribution formula.
• Administrative costs: The recipient may use up to 5% of the appropriation for administrative costs.

Funding Administration

• Administration role: The grant is administered through the commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families.
• One-time nature: This is explicitly a one-time appropriation, not an ongoing program.

Reporting and Accountability

• Reporting requirements: The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches must report by August 1, 2026 on:
  • The number of food shelves receiving the grant funds
  • The amount distributed to each food shelf
  • Any amount used for administrative purposes
• Report submission: The required information must be provided to the commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families.

Significance and Impact

• What changes this bill makes: Establishes a dedicated, one-time funding stream to support food shelves linked to the Minnesota FoodShare network, with distribution guided by the existing program formula and a clear reporting requirement to the state.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota FoodShare program - food shelves - Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches - grant - appropriation - general fund - commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families - fiscal year 2026 - August 1, 2026 - administrative costs - distribution formula - one-time appropriation