History

Food for today. Change for tomorrow.

The Food Group is a local nonprofit focused on using nutritious food to strengthen community. We help to alleviate hunger by working at the intersection of food access, equity, and nutrition. We break down barriers to growing good food and get good food to those who need it most.

Our History

Collaboration has been at the heart of our work since day one.

The original vision was to share information and resources to provide temporary assistance to those who needed help to get enough food for their families. … As time passed, the need got greater, the network responded by growing in size, knowledge and ingenuity. The capabilities of The Food Group and its partners continue to grow more effective and stronger.

Clare Kooiman, PROP Food Shelf in Eden Prairie
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Timeline 2007 - 2024. Click on link to textual version.
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Our name, The Food Group, encompasses our values, our innovative programs — from growing, to gathering, to donating and selling healthy foods — and our efforts to create an equitable and just food system.

We Value Nutritious Food
Working with our community partners, The Food Group buys, gleans, grows, and processes fresh produce.

Food Bank
or Food Shelf?
The Food Group is a food bank that supplies other hunger relief agencies with fresh produce, frozen meat, grocery staples, and other household necessities. Food shelves distribute free food to individuals and families in their local communities.

The Food Group believes in food equity. They believe in culturally specific foods. They believe in meeting people where they are at. And most of all, they believe in dignity.

The Food Group volunteer and donor

Did You Know?
Over 20% of Black households and 19% of Latinx households report food insecurity, compared to 10% of white households.

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The Food Group

We’re a nonprofit working at the intersection of equity and access to fresh, sustainable foods. From farming to distribution, we provide fresh food across MN and WI.

The Food Group is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. EIN 41-1246504 Contributions are tax-deductible to the full amount provided by the law.

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Charity Navigator Four Star
CRC Meets Standards

The Food Group Office & Warehouse

Big River Farms

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Hunger Solutions