Bill to restore local food purchasing funds tied in committee and fails to advance

Representative Lee presented House File 3693 and moved a DE1 amendment reallocating funds from a green-fertilizer appropriation to the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program (the amendment text describes increasing LFPA funding to about $2.45 million and drawing remnant dollars from a previously appropriated green fertilizer account). Lee said the change is intended to restore part of roughly $3 million in federal funding cuts for the program.

April LeDoux, director of CHUM Food Shelf in Duluth, told the committee the food shelf distributed "over 572,000 pounds of food" last year and served roughly 10,500 people, and that CSA-share purchases are important for providing fresh produce to people who cannot afford it. Dan Zimmerli of Cedar Creek Farm and the Minnesota Farmers Union described how LFPA purchases of damaged produce helped his farm survive extreme 2024 weather and supported local food-recovery partnerships.

Committee fiscal staff and Department of Agriculture witnesses said the DE1 amendment draws from a green fertilizer appropriation with about $3.969 million remaining; staff noted a pending fiscal note because the amended language affects department and attorney-general roles and financial analysis must reflect the updated text. Members asked for more data on cost per pound and waste rates; the department said it is still compiling program reporting and suggested the requested cost-and-waste metrics could be considered for future reporting.

Representative Lee requested a roll call on re-referral to Ways and Means; the clerk recorded the votes and the result was a 7-7 tie. The chair ruled the motion did not prevail and HF3693 did not advance from the committee.