FOOD BOXES FOR SENIORS
Low-income seniors age 60+ in Minnesota can receive a free box of nutritious food each month.
Are you age 60 or older, living in Minnesota and struggling to make ends meet?
Get Free, Healthy Groceries Each Month
Low-income seniors may qualify for a free box of healthy groceries each month. It’s a benefit available through the federally funded Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
Each month’s senior food box contains a variety of healthy groceries such as canned fruits, vegetables and juices, milk, cheese, canned meat, peanut butter or dried beans, cereal, rice or pasta.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture—and your local farmers and growers—contribute these shelf-stable food items known as “commodities.” Accepting these healthy groceries means extra money for seniors to spend on other important things, and a positive way to support agricultural producers in your community.
We can help
Questions?
Our team of specialists can talk to you about the program and help you through the screening and application process. We have a full-time staff who are knowledgeable about CSFP, and there is no cost or risk in seeing if you're eligible.
Call us: 651-401-1411 (toll-free at 866-844-FOOD)
Email us: naps@2harvest.org
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 130% or less of the federal poverty level. U.S. citizenship is not required.
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 2/7/2024.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income |
| 1 | $1,632 |
| 2 | $2,215 |
| 3 | $2,798 |
| 4 | $3,380 |
| 5 | $3,963 |
| 6 | $4,546 |
| 7 | $5,129 |
| 8 | $5,712 |
| Each Additional Member | +$583 |
Step 2: Complete a Short Application
There is no risk or penalty in checking to see if you qualify for CSFP.
or
Call us at 651-401-1411 (toll-free at 1-866-844-FOOD)
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 CSFP sites across Minnesota. Once a month, you can get your healthy groceries at a food shelf, community center or other location near your home.
Not able to drive or pick up your senior food box on your own? Don’t worry—a friend, neighbor or family member can pick up you senior food box for you. We also have options for delivery right to your door. A Second Harvest Heartland team member can help you choose the right option.
Gregory
Local Senior and CSFP Participant
Hungry? You're Not Alone.
Here are some facts about senior hunger.
Nearly 4% & 8%
of seniors in Minnesota and Wisconsin respectively were estimated to be food insecure in 2021.
Baby Boomers
born before 1965 are the fastest-growing group of visitors to food shelves.
8,583 Minnesotans
received food boxes through CSFP in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Many seniors in Minnesota are eligible for multiple programs that help end hunger. The 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.
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.
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.
This program focuses on healthy, commodity food items for seniors experiencing hunger or food insecurity. 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.
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.
No. CSFP participants must update their applications once every three years. The Second Harvest Heartland team can help you with this simple process.
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.