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Panel lays over bill to expand Market Bucks nutrition incentive to grocery stores
Summary
House File 1534 would move the Market Bucks program into the Department of Health and pilot Fresh Bucks to extend nutrition incentives for SNAP recipients to grocery retailers year-round; grocer and beneficiary testimony supported expansion and the committee laid the bill over.
Representative Keeler presented House File 15 34 (as amended) to move the Healthy Eating Here at Home program (Market Bucks) from the Humanities to the Department of Health and to expand the program so SNAP recipients can receive incentives at grocery stores year-round (a Fresh Bucks pilot).
Steve Barthel, director of government relations for the Minnesota Grocers Association, testified in support, saying the pilot would help low-income shoppers access fresh produce year-round and leverage federal matching funds. Tamara Walter, a SNAP recipient who uses Market Bucks at farmers markets, described benefits to her family managing diabetes and celiac disease and urged expansion to grocery stores for winter access.
Representative Keeler said the expansion leverages federal matching and supports local retailers and growers; the committee adopted an A1 amendment and laid the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion.
