Food Boxes for Seniors
Seniors in Minnesota who qualify can receive a free box of nutritious food each month.
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Are you age 60 or older, living in Minnesota and need help with getting groceries?
Get Free, Healthy Groceries Each Month
Low-income seniors may qualify for a free box of healthy groceries each month. This program is called the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
Each food box contains a variety of healthy and shelf-stable food items such as:
- Canned fruits, vegetables, and juices
- Milk
- Cheese
- Canned meat
- Peanut butter
- Dried beans
- Cereal
- Rice or Pasta
Contact Us Today
Looking for Help?
Our friendly Care Center team is here to help you get the food you need. We're available 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday, and help is available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.
How to Enroll in CSFP
Step 1: See If You're Eligible
To be eligible for CSFP, you must be age 60 or older, a Minnesota resident, and have a monthly income that's 150% or less of the federal poverty level. U.S. citizenship is not required. CSFP is also based on dual eligibility--if a senior is participating in specific federal or state assistance programs such as Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), they are automatically qualified for CSFP, regardless of household income.
The Household Income Guide below can help you determine this. 'Households' are defined by people within your home who you share meals with. 'Gross income' is your income before taxes are taken out. These guidelines took effect 3/7/2025.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income |
| 1 | $1,957 |
| 2 | $2,644 |
| 3 | $3,332 |
| 4 | $4,019 |
| 5 | $4,707 |
| 6 | $5,394 |
| 7 | $6,082 |
| 8 | $6,769 |
| Each Additional Member | +$688 |
Step 2: Complete a Short Application
There is no risk or penalty to check if you qualify for the senior food box program.
or
Call us at 651-401-1411 (toll-free at 1-866-844-3663)
You will need:
- A picture ID
- A recent mailing that shows your name and current address
- Knowledge of the monthly gross income for your household
Step 3: Receive your free groceries each month
Second Harvest Heartland distributes senior food boxes at more than 230 sites across Minnesota. Once a month, you can get your senior food box at a food shelf, community center, or other location near your home.
If you are unable to drive or pick up your senior food box, a friend, neighbor, or family member can pick up your senior food box for you. There are also delivery options. The Second Harvest Heartland Care Center can help you choose the best option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Many seniors in Minnesota are eligible for multiple hunger relief programs. The Care Center team at Second Harvest Heartland can work with you to determine which benefits you qualify for, including finding the nearest food shelf or food pantry in your area, and signing up for SNAP.
Typically, a monthly CSFP food box includes a variety of canned or boxed goods and “shelf-stable” items that are long-lasting and nutritious. You’ll likely receive items like cereal, rice, pasta, cheese, peanut butter, and canned fruits, vegetables and juices.
When you apply for CSFP, you can authorize others to pick up your senior nutrition box. This way, friends, family members, neighbors or other volunteers can make sure you still receive your benefits.
No. CSFP participants must update their applications once every three years. The Second Harvest Heartland Care Center can help you with this simple process.
Yes! Second Harvest Heartland can enroll you directly if you live in one of the 41 counties in our service area. Other Minnesota residents can sign up directly through the state’s CSFP website.
Yes! There’s no citizenship requirement to participate in the CSFP program in Minnesota. You must be a Minnesota resident, have a valid photo ID and meet eligibility guidelines for your age and household income.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: Program.Intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.