A woman picking cherry tomato off the vine

Stories of Ending Hunger

The Second Harvest Heartland Blog

Welcoming Volunteers of All Abilities in the Fight Against Hunger

Just as Second Harvest Heartland strives to recognize and remove barriers to food access, we must also remain dedicated to eliminating barriers to volunteerism. That’s why Second Harvest Heartland is committed to facilitating involvement inclusively and across age, background and ability level.

Supporting Central Minnesota with Warmth and Variety

Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf of St. Cloud works with Second Harvest Heartland to provide food to households in St. Cloud, MN area. Read about the staff, volunteers and visitors who are helping to end hunger in Central Minnesota.

Grant Funds Support Innovative Solutions that Fill Unmet Need

ECHO Food Shelf in Mankato and Heaven’s Table Food Shelf in Fairmont are two recipients of Collaborative Innovation grants from Second Harvest Heartland in 2021. About one year into these projects, both are seeing success.

Food Pantry at Department of Indian Work

Serving the Indigenous Community with Creativity and Care

As one of the only Native-focused food shelves in the state, the Department of Indian Work plays an important role in the fight against hunger in Minnesota.

Minnesota Central Kitchen is now Kitchen Coalition!

Kitchen Coalition is the same innovative, hunger-fighting program as Minnesota Central Kitchen, just with a new name that reflects the expansive network of partners that make up this community-driven program.

How Two Minnesota Colleges Are Fighting Hunger on Campus

According to the 2021 Hope Center Student Basic Needs Survey, food insecurity is a concern for 29% of students attending four-year colleges and 38% of students at two-year colleges. With food prices increasing, colleges are seeing that the need for food support for students is as important as ever.

Toddler being handed tomatoes in a high chair

Help Make 2023 Hunger-Free with Monthly Giving

As we look back on 2022, we’re amazed by how the community stepped up to fight hunger. Together, we distributed over 113 million meals to local kids, families and seniors who needed them most. That’s an incredible impact. But the hard truth is, hunger is still here in the heartland. 813,000 people in our region reached out for food assistance in 2021, and the need is just as critical in this new year.

4 Reasons Why People Need Food Assistance This Winter

Heading into the holidays, we’re all ready to celebrate the season with our family and loved ones. But for too many, recent financial pressures have made it difficult to afford the same comforting meals we turn to this time of year. But behind the headlines warning of more expensive holiday dinners are a number of challenges exacerbating food insecurity this fall and winter.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors at Minnesota Central Kitchen Partner NorthStar Health

NorthStar Health, a community-driven resource center in St. Paul, recently started partnering with Minnesota Central Kitchen to provide meals to their patients.

: Public Affairs Specialist Rachel Sosnowchik explains the Farm Bill nutrition programs at the listening session in Minneapolis

Farm Bill Listening Sessions

This summer, Second Harvest Heartland hosted eight Farm Bill listening sessions in partnership with Minnesota’s other Feeding America food banks. These statewide events brought together food shelf staff, pantry clients and SNAP participants to discuss how Farm Bill nutrition programs can be strengthened and improved. Read on to learn more about our key findings and how we will use this information to inform our advocacy efforts ahead of the 2023 Farm Bill.

October 21, 2022 - A Day in the Life of a Food Shelf Order

October 20, 2022 - Minnesota Central Kitchen in the Classroom and on the Mainstage

September 27, 2022 - A Fresh Resource for the Belle Plaine Community

August 11, 2022 - Advocacy Spotlight: Interview with Volunteer Ben Savin

July 26, 2022 - Thank you donors!

July 19, 2022 - Preparing for the 2023 Farm Bill

July 13, 2022 - Accessing Fresh and Local Foods with SNAP Market Bucks

June 29, 2022 - 5 Hunger-Fighting Reasons to Give Monthly

June 22, 2022 - End of Legislative Session Brings Missed Opportunities for Lawmakers to Address Food Insecurity

June 15, 2022 - How Haven Housing Gives Food a Second Chance with Food Rescue

June 14, 2022 - Five Food Donors Fighting Hunger in the Heartland