More than 180 hunger relief agencies use The Food Group’s food bank. We support food shelves, meal programs, and other food access organizations with:
- Low and no cost nutritious foods
- Resources and support from our food access experts
- Opportunities to learn and network with food access peers
Partnership with The Food Group
The Food Group is a full-service food bank, providing quality, nutritious food and support services to hunger relief partners, including food shelves and on-site meal programs in the Twin Cities metro area and Tribal Nations statewide. Partner agencies are eligible to receive free donations from The Food Group when available and have access to purchasing foods and household items through The Food Group’s bulk purchasing program.
Partner Agency Benefits
Bulk Purchasing
Partner Agencies have access to ordering a variety of staple items from our online market. THE FOOD GROUP buys these items in bulk and offers them to Partner Agencies at below retail costs. Partner Agencies can choose from a wide selection of food staples, including fresh produce, frozen meats, culturally specific food items, and hygiene and household necessities. THE FOOD GROUP is committed to offering quality food items with a specific focus on nutrition. Free delivery is available to Partner Agencies in our delivery areas.
Free Food and In-kind Donations
THE FOOD GROUP recognizes that food budgets are tight for our Partner Agencies. Because of this we solicit free food and in-kind donations from a variety of sources. Anything THE FOOD GROUP receives for free is available to our Partner Agencies at no cost.
Support Services
Partner Agencies have access to THE FOOD GROUP’s computers, printers, scanners, laminators, and other media equipment. Agencies are invited to attend quarterly informational meetings at THE FOOD GROUP to network, learn, and share best practices. Additionally, THE FOOD GROUP staff are available for site visits, brainstorming, and resources. Areas of support include volunteer coordination, grant writing, marketing, and more.
Learn More
What products are available?
We offer fresh produce, frozen meats, culturally connected foods, and hygiene and household necessities — all below retail prices. When The Food Group receives food and in-kind donations, we share them with our partners at no cost.
What are culturally connected foods?
We prioritize offering culturally familiar foods for our communities. Our food bank currently provides Latin, Southeast Asian, and East and West African foods. If you want to order a new item, ask our sourcing manager for options.
How often can we get food? Is delivery free ?
Partners can receive food weekly, twice a month, or once a month. Free delivery is available for orders over 400 lbs.
Are there more ways your team can support my agency?
We host quarterly partner meetings to network, learn, and share best practices. Our team is also happy to visit your site, brainstorm to solve problems, and help you access resources on volunteer coordination, marketing, fundraising, cultural responsiveness, and more.
Can we use more than one food bank?
Absolutely. We encourage our partners to take advantage of all food resources.
Do you work with local and start-up groups?
Yes! The Food Group is an independent food bank that works with all types of agencies. We’re here to connect, foster voices in new places, and build a more equitable food system with our partners.
Is it free to be a partner?
Yes, it’s free! We just ask that our partners submit monthly statistics (required for TEFAP) and try to place an order at least once each quarter.
Questions & Connections
Email us or call 763-450-3898
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