MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representatives Currie, Wallace, Summers, Hudson, Yates
AN ACT TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO BE KNOWN AS THE "HEALTHY FOOD INCENTIVES FUND"; TO PROVIDE THAT USING MONIES APPROPRIATED FROM THE FUND, THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL MAKE AN ANNUAL GRANT TO A QUALIFIED MISSISSIPPI NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OR AGENCY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE GRANT SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPATING MISSISSIPPI FARMERS MARKETS AND RETAILERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING MATCHING DOLLAR INCENTIVES FOR THE DOLLAR VALUE OF SNAP BENEFITS SPENT ON ELIGIBLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AT PARTICIPATING MISSISSIPPI FARMERS MARKETS AND DIRECT PRODUCER-TO-CONSUMER VENUES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Healthy Food Incentives Fund," which shall consist of funds made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source designated for deposit into the fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund shall be used by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes provided in this section.
(2) Using monies appropriated from Healthy Food Incentives Fund, the Mississippi Department of Human Services shall make an annual grant to a qualified Mississippi nonprofit organization or agency, which shall be distributed to participating Mississippi farmers markets and retailers for the purpose of providing matching dollar incentives up to the amount specified by the department, for the dollar value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits spent on eligible fruits and vegetables at participating Mississippi farmers markets and direct producer-to-consumer venues.
(3) The Mississippi nonprofit organization or agency selected by the department to receive the grant must have a demonstrated track record of:
(a) Building a statewide network;
(b) Implementing funds distribution and reporting processes;
(c) Providing training and technical assistance to farmers markets and direct producer-to-consumer venues;
(d) Conducting community outreach and data collection; and
(e) Providing full accounting and administration of funds distributed to farmers markets.
(3) At least ninety percent (90%) of the money in the Healthy Food Incentive Fund shall be distributed to participating Mississippi farmers markets and retailers for healthy food incentives. Not more than ten percent (10%) of the money in the Healthy Food Incentive Fund may be used for state program development, promotion and outreach, farmers market and retailer training and capacity building, technical assistance, program data collection, evaluation, administration, reporting, and program implementation.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.