Adding New Program Areas With Statewide Impact

Last month, Hunger Solutions — our trusted, longtime partner organization in the anti-hunger space — officially became part of The Food Group. This is an especially exciting time for us, because this deeper level of partnership comes with new, complementary hunger relief programs and advocacy experience for even greater impact in serving our community members experiencing hunger. 

Food needs across Minnesota continue to climb year over year. According to data collected by Hunger Solutions, our state recorded more than 7.5 million food shelf visits in 2023, breaking 2022’s record by more than 2 million visits — a more than 30% increase. More Minnesotans also received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds in 2023 than in any year since 2016. 

Here are some of the programs and advocacy areas we’re excited to be adding to our work at The Food Group through this new collaboration, to help us strengthen our commitment to solutions that will create lasting impact and change into the future.

SNAP Rx: This program strengthens the connection between health care and hunger relief organizations. Clinics use the Hunger Vital Sign screening tool to screen their patients for food insecurity during routine care, and patients who screen positive for food insecurity are referred to the Minnesota Food HelpLine.

Minnesota Food HelpLine: This program connects people with food resources in their local community, such as their local food shelf and programs like SNAP. With one call, the HelpLine assesses the caller’s situation and provides solutions to their food needs.

Market Bucks: This program helps SNAP customers stretch their dollars at the farmers market, making healthy food more affordable, by matching SNAP-EBT spending dollar-for-dollar up to $10 at participating farmers markets across Minnesota. We believe everyone should have access to fresh, healthy, local food!

Advocacy: Joining forces will also establish Hunger Solutions’ advocacy efforts as a new branch of The Food Group’s work to fight hunger, support local farmers, and advance public policy for a better food system. 

Statewide Food Access Support: As we combine efforts, we’ll be able to expand our efforts to support food shelves statewide through grants, data collection, and reporting on hunger trends.

Incorporating these programs and initiatives will further differentiate our work at The Food Group, broaden our focus to statewide impact, and allow us to work more deeply on systems change related to food and hunger. We hope you’ll join us in supporting this great new work!