Hunger Solutions works to advocate and give a voice to those who are facing the challenge of hunger in our state. Here are the issues that were of top priority for them this past legislative session, and the outcomes of their efforts:
Market Bucks Funding
With help from supporters emailing and calling lawmakers, funding for Market Bucks was restored. Market Bucks are money that is matched with money on a EBT card, and can be used at farmers markets all over Minnesota. If you would like to learn more about Market Bucks and how they work, you can check out a previous Minnesota Hunger Initiative post that will give you more details about Market Bucks and SNAP/EBT cards in Minnesota.
Food Shelf Funding Increase
An increase in funding for food shelves in Minnesota has passed! This money will go toward buying more proteins, fruits, vegetables and diapers. From 2011-2015 food shelf visits have increased by almost 6 percent for every age group, so now is the perfect time to be taking action on food insecurity in Minnesota.
Good Food Access Fund
It is estimated that 235,000 Minnesota live more than 10 miles away from a grocery store, supermarket, or supercenter. In order to keep access to healthy food in all areas of Minnesota, The Good Food Access Fund asked for an increase in funding so that they can continue their work. The Good Food Access fund was included in the Agriculture Budget, although it is unclear at this time what exactly this will mean. The Commission of Agriculture can appropriate up to $250,000 to the program per year.
Mobile Food Shelf Funding
The ask for renewed funding for Mobile Food Shelves was not accomplished, but that doesn’t mean that the advocacy for Mobile Food Shelves will stop. The efforts to request funding for this program will continue in years to come.
If you are interested in learning more about Hunger Solutions and the work they are doing, check out their website!