$200 Million for Climate-Smart Food Systems in Minnesota

(KNOX) -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and  Minnesota state leaders were at The Food Group in New Hope to announce a $200 million grant to cut climate pollution from Minnesota food systems. The funding was awarded through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.

“Minnesota has consistently been a leader in climate solutions. From clean energy to sustainable agriculture, our climate goals are ensuring a healthier, safer state. Today, we’re celebrating another significant milestone in this journey,” said Governor Tim Walz. “With the EPA’s help, we are creating a food system that nourishes Minnesotans while reducing waste and climate pollution.”

The Minnesota Climate-Smart Food Systems project will empower growers, processors, nonprofits, and local communities to build a food system that reduces waste and climate pollution while nourishing Minnesotans statewide. Elements of the project include:

• Protecting and restoring 10,000 acres of peatlands in Minnesota, which absorb and store climate pollution.
• Expanding support for farmers through the nationally recognized Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification and Soil Health Financial Assistance programs.
• Implementing innovative new technologies at food and organic waste processing sites.
• Helping small businesses, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, food banks, and corner stores invest in new, climate-friendly refrigerators.-
• Replacing gas-powered vehicles and equipment used in food systems like tractors and freight trucks with EVs and advanced clean fuel options.
• Scaling up successful programs to prevent food waste and keep organic matter out of landfills.
• Coordination with Tribal governments and Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities to improve food security and strengthen food sovereignty.

“The Biden-Harris administration is delivering unprecedented funding and resources to help Minnesota fight climate change, safeguard public health and grow its economy,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA congratulates Gov. Walz for his leadership and innovative plans to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions by decarbonizing the state’s food system across agricultural, industrial and waste sectors, to building a greener, cleaner, healthier future for all Minnesotans.”

“This funding will have a transformational impact on Minnesota, from farms to food shelves across the state,” said Katrina Kessler, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. “This investment will reduce greenhouse gasses while improving air quality, advancing new technologies, building food security and sovereignty, and directing benefits to low-income residents and communities of color.”

“The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is excited about the award of the EPA’s Climate-Smart Food Systems grant to the State of Minnesota. This project includes tribal opportunities that strengthen tribal food sovereignty and address climate change concerns,”said Kelly Applegate, Commissioner of Natural Resources for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.“This grant works towards and compliments the efforts being put forth by Governor Walz’s Advisory Council on Climate Change. Together with the State of Minnesota, we can work towards climate solutions that benefit us all, and preserve the environment and natural resources for generations to come.”

Leaders celebrated the grant by visiting The Food Group, a nonprofit that distributes affordable healthy food in the Twin Cities and invests in training emerging farmers in organic and sustainable practices. The organization runs a mobile food market program that sells healthy foods on buses powered by clean energy and also recovers food from farms that may otherwise be thrown away.

“We cannot talk about a just and equitable food system without talking about climate smart policies and programs,” said Sophia Lenarz-Coy, executive director of The Food Group. “The Food Group is proud to be part of Minnesota’s collaborative and committed community providing food for today and change for tomorrow and we are eager to see this funding in action.”

The MPCA will manage the grant, which also provides funding to several other state entities including the Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Health, and Board of Water and Soil Resources.

The climate-smart food systems project is one of 25 projects selected as part of a highly competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grant application process. It is one of only three in the EPA’s midwestern Region 5 to receive funding. The EPA received nearly 300 applications from entities from across the country requesting a total of nearly $33 billion in funding.