Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish the Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic Resiliency Program in Minnesota. The program is intended to promote sustainable, local solutions to food, water, and climate challenges by supporting regenerative food webs.

Main Provisions

• Program Establishment: The program will be managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development and is designed to support local and regional food systems that are sustainable and adaptable to environmental challenges.

• Support and Assistance:

  • Financial and technical assistance will be provided to urban and rural producers for developing regenerative food systems that operate year-round.
  • Investment in infrastructure such as storage, composting, water management systems, and marketing sites to facilitate local food production and distribution.
  • Support for operational infrastructure within food webs including production, preparation, storage, and distribution systems.

• Community and Cultural Revival: Assistance will also focus on reviving food traditions and cultures of Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.

• Research and Development: Funding will support research to enhance ecological knowledge and foster biodiverse, resilient food landscapes.

• Inclusivity and Healthcare: The program includes training for diverse members, ensuring all identities are represented in the food web economy. Affordable healthcare is also to be provided to participants to maintain an economically sound system.

• Fruit and Vegetable Accessibility: A fund will be established to ensure fruits and vegetables are affordable for all income levels.

Advisory Committee

An advisory committee will be established to guide the program, consisting of diverse community representatives including farmers, culinary experts, and public health officials, with a strong emphasis on including leaders from Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. The commissioner will convene this group at least twice a year for problem-solving and program improvement.

Funding

The bill proposes appropriations from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to finance the implementation and operations of the program.

Relevant Terms

• Regenerative food web
• Local food systems
• Food resiliency
• Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities
• Sustainable agriculture
• Public health and food security
• Economic development
• Advisory committee