The Fare For All Program
By Hayley Severson, Minnesota Hunger Initiative Intern The Fare For All Program was started 30 years ago and is still working toward the same goal it was working toward then: buying quality nutritious food in bulk, and selling it to all members of the community at a reduced rate. One of the Minnesota Hunger Initiative partners, The Food Group, is the organization heading the program. The headquarters are in New Hope, and on top of that there are over 30 sites across the state where the Fare For All program can be found. Some facts about the program: The food packages range in price from $10-$25 The food packages can give you a savings of up to 40 percent compared to grocery store prices There are packages of varying sizes, ones that contain all produce, ones that contain all meat, and variety packs. It is open to everyone. There is no minimum income requirement. The more people who buy food from the program, the more buying power the program will have. So using the program will also be helping others customers, not taking food away from them. Cash, credit cards, debit cards, and EBT cards are all accepted at the sites. Last week I visited the site in Anoka at Zion Lutheran Church and was impressed. The thing that I found the most valuable, aside from the discounted food, was how easy it was for people to get the food they need. It was organized and everything was labeled straightforwardly. There were staff and volunteers available to assist at every station, whether it be picking out the package, checking out, or getting the food to a vehicle. With so many locations around the Twin Cities, as well as the whole state of Minnesota, the Fare For All Program is a great resource for all Minnesotans. To learn more you can visit the Fare For All website...
read moreFeatured Partner: Loaves & Fishes
In 2015 Loaves and Fishes served over 467,000 hot and nutritious meals. Aside from their focus on food, they also work to provide hospitality and warmth to those receiving meals at all of their sites. They have 19 locations around the Twin Cities. For a list of all locations go here. Through their Farm for All program they operate 4 farms throughout the metro and in turn they provide fresh produce to those who wouldn’t normally have access to it. Some of their other initiatives include a Summer Food Service program which works to provide food for kids when they are out of school. They also have the Zero Percent Food Recovery program that is dedicated to eliminating waste in cafeterias. If you are interested in learning more about Loaves and Fishes or volunteering you can visit their website here. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter...
read moreWhat is the Healthy Savings Program?
Armed with affordable fresh produce, skills imparted by top local chefs and advice from nutritionists, a number of local families are participating in a program to both increase access to nutritious food and build healthy cooking and eating habits. The Minnesota Hunger Initiative is all about bringing together groups and resources to create better opportunities for healthier, and well-fed people. Through combined efforts of the Minnesota Hunger Initiative, Medica, Solutran, and University of Minnesota Extension, the Healthy Savings Program has come into place! The Healthy Savings Program is a 12-week voluntary program that provides access to free and discounted food, while also offering educational opportunities to focus on things such as cooking skills and shopping tips. Participants in the Healthy Savings Program receive: • Healthy Savings Card loaded for 12 weeks of free produce, continued benefits for healthier foods, and benefits to shop at local farmers’ markets • Cooking class to learn knife, nutrition, and safety tips • Kitchen supplies for easier and faster cooking • A grocery store tour where participants learn how to use the Healthy Savings Card, tips on reading labels, weighing food and budgeting • A dietary log to measure current and post-pilot eating habits • At the end of the project, a survey to measure behavioral changes. Right now five food shelf programs are working to enroll people into the program, and this will only continue to grow. For a full press release and more information about the Healthy Savings Program, as well as the partners working on it, click...
read more5.2 million pounds of food donated during Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign!
The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is a coming together of efforts throughout our entire state to provide food to over 300 food shelves throughout Minnesota. Each food shelf involved held their own food and fund drive with the help of their local businesses, schools, churches and community groups. On top of their efforts, Minnesota FoodShare held a statewide food and fund drive where all of the proceeds are split between the 300 food shelves. So whether you gave to an individual food shelf, or a food drive or event hosted by the Minnesota FoodShare, your food or money was all going to the same place: food shelves in our state that will help feed Minnesotans in need. Through the combined efforts of everyone involved, over $8 million and 5.2 million pounds of food were accumulated and will be distributed to the partnering food shelves. This food and money will go a long way. Many food shelves involved report that the March Campaign is their largest fundraiser of the year and that it brings in at least 50 percent of the resources that they will need to operate for the rest of the year. The Center for Philanthropy estimates that each dollar donated to a food shelf is able to leverage $4 worth of food. Minnesota FoodShare estimates that the $8 million raised this year will bring in over $30 million dollars worth of food. Thank you to everyone who participated or donated in the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign. This success shows what happens when Minnesotans come together to help one another! Let’s continue this giving and keep it going all year long! For a list of great organizations that you could donate to, take a look at the Partners page on our website where you will find a list of all the members of the Minnesota Hunger...
read moreFeatured Partner: Greater Twin Cities United Way
Greater Twin Cities United Way helps people and communities reach their full potential. They help make sure people in our region are able to make the most of their lives, recognizing that our diversity, education standards, economic opportunity, and ability to meet basic needs makes us all stronger. To help provide those basic needs, like food, they recently announced a $50 million to our Strengthening the Safety Net goal area. This funding will boost nearly 100 organizations in their work providing basic needs in the nine-county metro area. Within these organizations, 24 programs are working directly to end hunger in our community. United Way also makes a difference for hungry families in our community through volunteerism. Last year, during their Centennial year, United Way volunteers served 39,819 meals to the hungry and made 52,779 healthy snack packs for kids. Learn more:...
read more6 things you should know about Market Bucks and SNAP/EBT at Minnesota farmers markets
SNAP/EBT is accepted in most farmers markets in Minnesota 80% of all Farmers Markets in Minnesota accept SNAP/EBT. What are Market Bucks? All of those markets accepting SNAP/EBT also offer Market Bucks. Now, what are Market Bucks? When you first arrive at a Farmers Market and swipe your EBT card at the EBT booth to decide how much you will spend, the amount you choose will be matched in “Market Bucks,” up to $10. These $10 are an extra $10 to spend while you are at the Farmers Market. There are additional ways to earn Market Bucks Gift certificates for Market Bucks will be distributed to SNAP users at food shelves and SNAP Education events. These gift certificates can be redeemed at the EBT card booth at farmers markets for an additional $10 in Market Bucks. Shopping at farmers markets with your EBT card is easy All vendors that are accepting EBT and Market Bucks will have clear signs stating so. What exactly can you buy with your EBT card at Farmers Markets? All of the following items can be purchased at a farmers market with your EBT card: Fruits and vegetables, cheese, meats, eggs, bread, jams, jelly, maple syrup, honey, pickles, wild rice, herbs, herb plants or plants that produce fruit or vegetables. The following items can’t be purchased at a Farmers Market with your EBT card: cut flowers, crafts, non-food items such as soaps and lotions or food for immediate consumption. Which farmers markets accept SNAP/EBT? Every farmers market in Minnesota that accepts SNAP/EBT and offers Market Bucks can be found here. For some great overall tips about Farmers Markets, including how to stretch your dollar and when certain foods are in season, click...
read moreFood Deserts in Minnesota and the Good Food Access Fund
What is a food desert? The USDA defines a food desert as a low-income area (census tract), where a significant number of residents live more than 10 miles from a big grocery store in rural areas or one mile in urban ones. How are we going to fix this problem? The Good Food Access Fund has a plan to increase access to healthy food for people in areas that are lacking in both transportation, availability, and income. The Problem -235,000 Minnesotans live more than 10 miles from a large grocery store or super market -49 percent of Minnesotans report that not having a store nearby that sells healthy food directly impacts what they eat -Minnesotans spend an estimated $2.8 billion each year on obesity-related health care costs alone This means that thousands of Minnesotans don’t have access to healthy food whether it be because of distance, income, or both. This in turn contributes to rising obesity rates in these food deserts. The Solution The goal of the Good Food Access Fund is to attain new funding ($10 million per year) from Minnesota legislation that will go toward increasing availability and accessibility to affordable and nutritious food in food deserts. The bills have already started to build momentum and have been making their way through committees in both houses. If this legislation gets passed you can expect to see: -Mobile markets/food shelves that bring food to those who are unable to get to a grocery store -Increases in the number of farmer’s markets and grocery stores in underserved areas -Boosted economic activity and new jobs available -Improved overall health of people currently living in food deserts To stay up to date on the progress of the Good Food Access Fund, like the Minnesotans for Healthy Kids Coalition Facebook Page. If you’d like to voice your support to your legislators, you can do so easily...
read moreFeatured Partner: The Food Group
The Food Group, formally known as Emergency Foodshelf Network, has a long history of working with food shelves, meal providers and other organizations to provide access to free quality food and bulk food at or below wholesale prices. Unlike some food banks, The Food Group does not charge membership or handling fees to their network of hunger relief programs. The Food Group has 10 different programs, with a wide range of tasks. Their Cultural Equity program distributes culturally appropriate food to our diverse community. The Fare For All program purchases fresh produce in bulk, and makes it available to everyone in the community for up to 40% off grocery store prices. The Food Group’s Mobile Foodshelf delivers free supplemental food right to housing complexes in the Twin Cities. These are just a few examples of the many programs that The Food Group offers. To learn more visit The Food Group website: thefoodgroupmn.org, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter and Instagram...
read moreHunger Day on the Hill
UPDATE: The 2022 Event is March 8-9. Learn more here. Hunger Day on the Hill is a great opportunity to learn about hunger-fighting efforts at the state level, and also a chance to talk with your legislators. This year’s event is 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, at St. Paul College. Why you should attend Hunger Day on the Hill Speaking up and sharing your story to a legislator puts a human face to the issue of hunger. When that bill is plopped on their desk among many others, they are going to remember the people and the stories that are connected to the bill. In-person visits with constituents are very influential to legislators and the progress of passing a bill. You don’t have to be an expert on the issue to talk to legislators, what’s important is sharing your passion for the issue, and why you want to see a change. Event organizers will be on hand to help you if you have any questions about meeting with your legislator. What you will gain from attending Hunger Day on the Hill You will gain more knowledge about the legislative process by going to this event. You will also be a part of something big. The momentum gained from this event will hopefully in turn help increase funding for food shelves in our state. One conversation with a legislator could have lasting effects. The event is free and parking and breakfast will be provided. For more information and to register, click...
read moreFeatured Partner: Hunger Solutions
Hunger Solutions Minnesota works to end hunger by strengthening Minnesota’s food shelves through funding and technical assistance to food shelves, connecting organizations and individuals working to end hunger in Minnesota, and advancing fair public nutrition policies on behalf of hungry Minnesotans. Funding and technical assistance to food shelves Hunger Solutions distributes over $3 million in state-funded emergency, equipment, and operating grants to food shelves and helps administer federal The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) bringing 10.7 million pounds of food Minnesota food banks, food shelves, and meal programs. Connecting organizations and individuals Hunger Solutions helps plan the Food Access Summit, which brings 500 food advocates together to learn from one another and mobilize to improve the food system for low-income individuals and families. Hunger Solutions also works as part of several collaborative’s and coalitions working on hunger issues – including the Minnesota Hunger Initiative. Hunger Solutions’ Minnesota Food HelpLine (1-888-711-1151) connects individuals to local food resources and screens for SNAP eligibility. The HelpLine answers over 6,000 calls per year. Advancing policy Hunger Solutions is a leading voice on hunger at the Capitol – gathering advocates for Hunger Day on the Hill and connecting them with lawmakers and leading the Partners to End Hunger, a statewide coalition of service providers and advocates working to end hunger in Minnesota through legislative action. Hunger Solutions also coordinates the Voice of Hunger Network, sending action alerts on key legislative action to interested citizen advocates across the state. For more information visit: http://www.HungerSolutions.org or @HungerSolutions on...
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