Purpose

• Establish a Prepared Meals Food Relief Grants program to provide hunger relief for Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity who have difficulty preparing meals due to limited mobility, disability, or limited resources.

Main Provisions

• Establishment

  • The commissioner of children, youth and families must create a prepared meals grant program aimed at reducing hunger for people who cannot easily prepare meals.

• Eligible grantees

  • Eligible grantees are nonprofit organizations and federally recognized American Indian Tribes or Bands located in Minnesota.
  • Grantees must have a demonstrated history of providing and distributing prepared meals tailored to the populations they serve, including cultural, religious, and dietary needs.
  • Meals must be prepared in a licensed commercial kitchen and distributed following ServSafe guidelines.

• Application

  • Organizations must apply for grant money using forms and procedures set by the commissioner.

• Allowable uses of grant funds

  • Funds must be used to run a prepared meals program that primarily serves individuals ages 18 to 60 and their dependents experiencing food insecurity.
  • Grantees must not receive funding for these activities from other state or federal meal programs.

• Duties of the commissioner

  • Develop a process to determine eligible grantees.
  • Prioritize grant awards to applicants that:
  • can serve racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse populations at greater risk,
  • collaborate with external community partners to reach nontraditional meal sites and those most in need,
  • source at least 50% of ingredients from Minnesota food producers/processors or from donated or otherwise wasted food.
  • Consider geographic distribution to ensure statewide coverage while minimizing the number of grantees to reduce administrative burden and costs.

• Reporting

  • Grantees must keep records of how grant funds are spent and meet any additional documentation requirements from the commissioner.
  • Grantees must report back on how funds are used.
  • If ineligible expenditures are found, the amount must be repaid to the commissioner and deposited in the general fund.

• Appropriation

  • In fiscal years 2026 and 2027, money is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of children, youth and families for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes section 142F.141.

Significant Changes / Effects

• Creates a new state program (the Prepared Meals Food Relief Grants) under Minnesota Statutes 142F.141 to fund prepared meals for adults 18–60 and their dependents who face food insecurity.
• Establishes strict eligibility and program requirements for grantees, including licensing, food safety (ServSafe), and tailoring to cultural/dietary needs.
• Introduces a preference system for grantees that demonstrate strong community reach, partnerships, and local Minnesota sourcing (at least 50% of ingredients from Minnesota producers/processors or donated/waste).
• Prioritizes statewide geographic coverage while aiming to streamline administration by limiting the number of grantees.
• Implements reporting and accountability measures, including repayment of inappropriate expenditures.

Key Terms (Important for search and understanding)

• prepared meals
• food relief grants
• food insecurity
• limited mobility
• disability
• nonprofit organizations
• American Indian Tribes or Bands
• licensed commercial kitchen
• ServSafe guidelines
• eligible grantees
• Minnesota producers and processors
• donated food
• wasted food
• nontraditional meal sites
• general fund
• Minnesota Statutes section 142F.141
• commissioner of children, youth and families
• fiscal years 2026 and 2027
• reporting and records
• appropriation

Relevant Terms prepared meals; hunger relief; food insecurity; limited mobility; disability; nonprofit; American Indian Tribes or Bands; licensed commercial kitchen; ServSafe; grantees; Minnesota producers; processors; donated food; wasted food; nontraditional meal sites; general fund; Minnesota Statutes 142F.141; commissioner of children, youth and families; appropriation; fiscal year.