Strengthening the network

We recognize that part of our role in the hunger relief system is to strengthen the overall network of partners working to feed our community. By leveraging our scale, scope and reach to pilot and test sustainable programs, new and community-based solutions to hunger are always taking shape.

Retail Food Rescue — a community effort and solution

Rescuing food from farmers, manufacturers and retailers is not just a great way to provide food to those in need, it’s an excellent way to support sustainability. By saving unsold food that would otherwise go to waste, these rescued products — more than 36.4 pounds total last year — went to people in our community. The food we rescue includes produce, meat, bakery, dairy, shelf-stable and deli items.

Retail Food Rescue is all about teamwork. Second Harvest Heartland’s, nearly 500 retail partners, food shelves, food pantries and meal programs all have a hand in getting the unused, fresh food from a shelf in a store onto a dinner table in the same day for hungry families.

We'd like to especially thank General Mills for their support of our Retail Food Rescue programs and helping us tell the story through this video.

A simple way to ignite hope

In the past year, a longtime partner of ours, Camden Promise, looked to Second Harvest Heartland to support them in finding creative solutions to meeting the increased need in the North Minneapolis community. Food shelf visits were growing up; budgets and funding weren’t. Camden Promise didn’t have the option of simply buying more food.

Over the course of the year, Second Harvest Heartland was able to help Camden Promise increase Retail Food Rescue pickups in their area and organize additional Food Rescue distributions around the holidays. This partnership benefited the 1,000 families per month Camden Promise serves.

"In the beginning we thought we were bringing milk and eggs to share with our food insecure neighborhood. What we could not know was that the neighborhood would bring its hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow. In the exchange, we are building a community with leadership none of us thought possible. This is the power of food. Who could have guessed that a bag of groceries would ignite such hope?”

- Pastor Jeff Nehrbass from Camden Promise

Prepared food rescue – building on success

Most of us have probably attended events or dinners and wondered, what will happen to all this beautiful leftover food? Piloting a project with some our meal program partners, we’re working to capture excess food after special events. These partners are experts in repurposing collected food into delicious, balanced meals for our hungry neighbors. Together, we’re helping pave the way to reducing food waste in our community.

“We appreciate and are grateful for Second Harvest Heartland providing these connections. These often higher-end products are welcomed by clients, reduces the workload in our kitchens, reduces waste, and saves money, allowing us to expand housing and social services. Thank you for these opportunities!”

- Kathleen Turner, Food Services Partnership & Strategy Manager, Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Minneapolis

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Senior hunger in rural Minnesota

For many seniors in southwestern Minnesota, asking for help with food is something that rarely crosses their minds. It’s difficult for them to imagine taking resources away from children or families they consider to be struggling. Even though it’s hard for them to ask for help, it doesn’t mean they don’t need it. Thanks to a grant from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Feeding America, our senior hunger team was able to partner with two agencies who represent six senior food box distribution sites, through the Nutrition Assistance for Seniors Program (NAPS) and add fresh produce options. Produce plays an important role in proper nutrition and is critical to seniors to support their health, increase effectiveness of medications and help balance the cost of food while on a fixed income. We know clients want more access to produce, so by adding fresh fruits and vegetables, more seniors are likely to use the program.

"With the grant we were able to do more one-on-one outreach to clients, learn about them and find opportunities to help them in any way they need it – in all four offices we do a senior day that features outreach and programming designed specifically for seniors." - Lori Lerohl, Volunteer Coordinator for United Community Action Partnership

The senior hunger program team is taking what they've learned from this pilot to bring the program to other community sites in Minnesota so we're able to reach even more seniors with regular food help.

The number of food-insecure seniors is projected to increase by 50% by 2025. Help decrease this number.

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