Hunger Data

Hunger is rising in Minnesota. Last year, Minnesotans made over 9 million visits to food shelves.

Mapping Hunger in Minnesota

The Food Group works with our partners to collect timely statistics on how many individuals are using food shelves in Minnesota. We analyze the trends, compile regular reports, and map hunger needs throughout Minnesota.

View & Download 2025 Report

2025 By The Numbers

9,026,846

visits to food shelves

5 x

more visits than twenty years ago

2.5 x

more visits than 2019

247,267

households served monthly

20,0000

more visits in October and November during SNAP delays

+ 31%

increase in grocery cost compared to 2019

Coming to the food shelf keeps me healthy. I go to my doctor appointments and hear about my health. I’m a diabetic. All the food I get is always good from the food shelf. I can eat healthier foods; it keeps me alive.

Theresa

Food Shelf Participant

Highlights from 2025

Here are some highlights from our 2025 Food Shelf Visit Report.

Visits to Minnesota food shelves remained at record highs for fourth year in a row.

Food assistance needs have dramatically increased from pre-pandemic levels.

Hunger is a statewide issue touching both urban and rural communities.

Grocery costs, federal uncertainty, and cuts to food assistance programs are driving need.

Food shelf visits are a measure of our response, not a metric for hunger itself.

Food shelves are innovating to meet ongoing record-breaking need.

Data Collection & Tranparency

The Food Group is committed to transparent data collection process and oversight. Our food shelf data comes from Minnesota’s food shelves and is calculated based on the number of visitors reported by each food shelf. The food shelves represented are TEFAP-eligible and are monitored by the Department of Children, Youth, and Family’s Office of Economic Opportunity and local food banks.