Second Harvest Heartland employee speaks on the phone

SNAP OUTREACH

Our team of SNAP Outreach specialists work with food shelves, agency partners and low-income households in Minnesota to understand and apply for EBT grocery benefits.

Helping Low-Income Minnesotans Navigate the SNAP Assistance Process

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food they need for nutritious and well-balanced meals. However, navigating SNAP can be difficult for many households; even the food shelves and agency partners who refer hungry neighbors to the program often have questions.

That’s where Second Harvest Heartland comes in. Through a grant from the state of Minnesota, we staff a team of full-time SNAP outreach and assistance specialists. We’re the largest support resource team in the state.

Eggs and celery in a paper grocery bag

Demand for SNAP Continues to Grow

Increasing Need

As people lose their sources of income or feel the impact of inflation and rising prices, access to SNAP ensures they stay healthy and fed. SNAP enrollment in Minnesota continues to grow, and our team of SNAP outreach specialists are busier than ever assisting hungry seniors, working families and even college students with the application process.
Learn about the factors driving hunger in Minnesota See how SNAP helps low-income families

The Country’s Largest Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the largest nutrition assistance program in the nation. It is designed to provide temporary assistance to low-income households.

435,000 Minnesotans

Participate in SNAP—approximately 7% of our state’s population.

13,200 SNAP referrals

Were made to our outreach specialists last year.

8,800 households

Received application or re-certification assistance from us.

Facts About SNAP

  • SNAP serves approximately 42 million people across the country including more than 435,000 Minnesotans
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service funds the program
  • Each state directs the program and administers benefits at the county level
  • Eligibility is based on household size, income, citizenship and other factors
  • Participants receive a monthly allowance for groceries, called an EBT card (formerly known as “food stamps”)
  • Recipients use their card just like a debit card for to pay for qualifying purchases at grocery stores, farmers markets and even online
Corey and Melissa SNAP recipients

We Make the SNAP Process Easier for Hungry Households and Agency Partners

Need help for your household?

Learn More About SNAP

We're Here To Help Individuals and Families

Our SNAP Outreach team knows the ins and outs of this important food assistance program for Minnesota. Our full-time staff includes coordinators for individual counties, interpreters for non-native English speakers, and a variety of support functions. A number of dedicated volunteers also contribute to our education and customer service efforts.

Every day, our SNAP experts work one-on-one with Minnesotans experiencing hunger and food insecurity. They can help you:

  • Learn about the EBT grocery benefits available through SNAP
  • See if they qualify for the SNAP program
  • Apply for SNAP, following the specific process of the county where they live
  • With food shelves and agency partners, we provide educational materials to increase awareness of SNAP in the community. We also conduct SNAP training sessions. Contact our SNAP team at 1-844-764-5513 or snaprefer@2harvest.org.

 

SEE IF YOU Qualify

Man with grocery bag outside with hat on

SNAP can provide 9x more meals than our food bank

What Makes SNAP So Great?

One of SNAP’s core strengths is its ability to respond to worsening economic conditions, like we’re going through today.
Learn More About SNAP

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter 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; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.