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Senate File 1112: Committee hears requests to increase Minnesota Food Shelf Program funding; bill laid over
Summary
Senate File 1112 would provide additional funding for the Minnesota Food Shelf Program (MFSP). Testimony from food shelves and food banks described sharp increases in visits and reliance on MFSP funds, which are distributed based on prior-year visits and limited to allowable costs.
Senate File 1112, presented to the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 19, would appropriate additional funding for the Minnesota Food Shelf Program (MFSP), the state's primary grant program supporting local food shelves.
Nut graf: Food-shelf managers and nonprofit leaders testified that they face record demand and constrained donations; they told the committee MFSP funds are essential for purchasing perishable items (meat, milk, produce) and for sustaining operations across the state.
Testimony highlights: Michelle Ness of PRISM said her organization provided nearly 26,000 unique food-shelf visits last fiscal year and described a 54% increase in children served; Rick Kasurick of PRISM recounted his own experience using food shelves as a child and later volunteering and working in food-shelf logistics. Michael Olsen of the Bemidji Community Food Shelf said the organization provided more than $1.7 million worth of food and supported more than 42,000 people during a recent month. Carrie Thompson of VEAP described a 40% increase in clients over three years and said about 50% of clients are employed but still low-income.
Committee members asked how MFSP dollars are distributed. The author and staff explained the statutory distribution: grant amounts are calculated in proportion to the number of visits reported by each food shelf; MFSP grants are awarded annually and require an annual report. Committee staff said typically about 96% of MFSP funds are used to purchase, transport, coordinate and distribute food and 4% are allowed for administrative costs.
Ending: Members laid the bill over for possible inclusion. Testifiers urged continued MFSP funding to maintain nutritious inventories and prevent further strain on local food shelves.
