our mission & history
Mission
The mission of Second Harvest Heartland is to end hunger through community partnerships.
Second Harvest Heartland distributes more than 34 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to 1,000+ member agencies and programs in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, as well as directly serving individuals and families.
We are strengthened by our partners, whose individual, corporate, community and foundational support bring relief to thousands of hungry families, children and seniors.
For the agencies, individuals, and families we serve, we strive to:
- Provide nutritious and culturally diverse products
- Advocate for hunger relief programs and policies
- Educate people about nutrition and food-related issues
For our donors, we strive to be good and efficient stewards of their monetary and product donations.
For our employees, we strive to provide a workplace that rewards their dedication with a sense of accomplishment accompanied by fair compensation and benefits.
History
Second Harvest Heartland was founded on October 1st, 2001, with the merger of Minnesota's two largest food banks, Second Harvest Greater Minneapolis and Second Harvest St. Paul Food Bank: organizations with more than 44 years of food banking history.
Our region’s food banking history began in 1974, when Second Harvest St. Paul Food Bank, then named Emergency Fund Services, Inc. (EFS), was founded. Until early 1980, EFS distributed food and funds raised by concerned community groups in five St. Paul neighborhoods. As the organization matured, EFS began administering programs and created a food shelf network. In 1981, EFS received funding from the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and began looking for a warehouse to rent. Captain Ken, a St. Paul firehouse captain turned businessman, agreed that EFS could share a space with his company, Firehouse Beans, Inc. To better reflect its new identity, EFS was renamed The Greater St. Paul Community Food Bank. Over the years, the St. Paul food bank moved three times to accommodate its growth and in 1990 received its third name, Second Harvest St. Paul Food Bank.
Second Harvest Greater Minneapolis began in 1984 as the Greater Minneapolis Food Bank with the mission to feed those in need and reduce food waste. The Greater Minneapolis Food Bank changed its name to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater Minneapolis in 1989. From the beginning, Second Harvest Greater Minneapolis experienced record-breaking growth. In 1985, three staff members distributed 1.8 million pounds of grocery products. In 2000, 24 staff distributed 9.4 million pounds.
The combined strengths of these two food banks form the foundation that will continue to bring greater efficiency and effectiveness to the community. In its first month of operation in 2001, Second Harvest Heartland distributed more than 2 million pounds of grocery products. Today, Second Harvest Heartland distributes more than 34 million pounds of food annually to 1,000+ non-profit member agencies and programs in 59 counties covering central and southern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin.