HF4210

Purpose

• Update and expand Minnesota’s senior nutrition programs to better support the physical and mental health of older adults. The bill aims to provide nutrition services in homes and communities, coordinate with health and long-term care systems, and ensure services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively.

Main Provisions

• Food delivery support account

  • Establishes a food delivery support account in the special revenue fund.
  • Funds come from existing sources and any additional donations or transfers allowed by law.
  • Each year, money in the account can be granted to nonprofit organizations to transport home-delivered meals, groceries, or a combination to Minnesotans who struggle to obtain or prepare meals due to limited mobility, disability, age, or resources.
  • Nonprofits must have a proven history of providing and distributing food to the target population.
  • Grant funds must supplement, not replace, existing state or federal funding for prepared meals.

• Authority and funding allocation

  • The Minnesota Board on Aging will allocate state nutrition funds, the food delivery funds, and any federal funds received for senior nutrition programs (such as congregate dining and home-delivered meals) according to the board’s intrastate funding formula.

• Nutrition support services (allowable uses)

  • Funds allocated to area agencies on aging may be used for:
  • Transportation of home-delivered meals, groceries, and medications to seniors’ residences.
  • Expanding home-delivered meals into unserved or underserved areas.
  • Transportation to supermarkets or grocery delivery to homes.
  • Vouchers for food purchases at certainRestaurants in isolated rural areas.
  • SNAP outreach.
  • Transportation to congregate dining sites.
  • Nutrition screening and counseling as needed for individuals with special dietary needs (performed by a licensed dietitian or nutritionist).
  • Medically tailored meals.
  • Other appropriate services and tools to support senior nutrition programs, including new delivery models and technology.
  • Development and implementation of innovative meal delivery models through partnerships with schools, restaurants, hospitals, food shelves/pantries, farmers, and other community partners.

• Transferability of funds

  • Area agencies on aging may transfer unused nutrition support funds to support congregate dining services and home-delivered meals.

• Compliance and requirements

  • State funds used under these provisions must meet federal requirements in line with the Minnesota Board on Aging’s intrastate funding formula.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a dedicated food delivery support account to fund transportation of meals and groceries for seniors facing barriers to access.
• Expands funding and operational flexibility for senior nutrition programs, including new uses like grocery delivery, restaurant vouchers in rural areas, SNAP outreach, and medically tailored meals.
• Formalizes authority for the Board on Aging to allocate both state and federal funds for Congregate Dining and Home-Delivered Meals, following the intrastate funding formula.
• Allows area agencies on aging to shift unused nutrition funds to support other meal services (congregate dining and home-delivered meals), increasing program adaptability.
• Broadens partnerships and delivery models (including by schools, hospitals, food shelves/pantries, farmers, and other community partners) to improve access to nutritious meals for older adults.

Who Is Affected

• Older adults and seniors who rely on nutrition programs.
• Area agencies on aging that administer nutrition services.
• Nonprofit organizations that provide home-delivered meals, groceries, or related nutrition services.
• Partners in the community (schools, restaurants, hospitals, food shelves/pantries, farmers) involved in delivering or supporting senior nutrition.

Relevant Terms - senior nutrition programs - area agencies on aging - Minnesota Board on Aging - home-delivered meals - congregate dining - food delivery support account - special revenue fund - transportation of meals - groceries delivery - medically tailored meals - nutrition screening and counseling - licensed dietitian or nutritionist - SNAP outreach - unserved and underserved areas - vouchers for food purchases - intrastate funding formula - supplements vs. supplants (funding) - partnerships with schools, restaurants, hospitals, food shelves/pantries, farmers