Mission & Values

The Food Group’s mission is:

Fighting hunger. Nourishing our community.

We believe:

  • Food is a basic right for all individuals.
  • Everyone deserves access to healthy food, where they live, that they can get to.
  • Everyone deserves access to foods that are familiar to them and fit their cultural and dietary needs.
  • Working collaboratively with other community organizations drives our mutual success.
  • Operating in a way that supports equity, sustainability and fairness to all builds stronger communities.

Equity Values Statement

Since 2005, The Food Group has offered culturally specific foods and resources to build cultural responsiveness. We know that ending hunger requires more than providing culturally appropriate foods. Our Equity Values Statement defines our commitment to address race and class inequity in the food system.

Equity is fundamental to our mission to fight hunger and nourish our community. Where we live, how much money we make, or the color of our skin currently influences access to healthy and culturally appropriate foods. We must address the roots of these inequities so everyone in our community has the opportunity to live their best life. We believe in working with our community and organizations to improve food access and make systemic changes in hunger relief. To do so, we must include equity in all aspects of our work. We invite individuals from different abilities, ethnicities, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds to take part in and shape our work.

Healthy Foods Policy

Our Healthy Foods Policy prioritizes how we source foods. It states, “The Food Group believes that food, especially nutritious and fresh food, is an essential right. Healthy foods are an important part of a diet that reduces the risk of disease.” The policy centers nutrition as a core value in all our programs. Read the entire policy to learn more about our commitment to increasing access to healthy food.

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.

Stay up-to-date with The Food Group

Subscribe

Stay up-to-date with The Food Group

Subscribe

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.

platinum transparency seal candid
Charity Navigator Four Star
CRC Meets Standards

The Food Group Office & Warehouse

Big River Farms

Hunger Solutions Logo

Hunger Solutions