Last month, 300 food access champions proved that nothing stops Minnesotans from fighting for their neighbors. For the past 11 years, The Food Group has hosted Hunger Day on the Hill in collaboration with the Partners to End Hunger Coalition. Hunger Day is a collective day of action to advocate for a hunger-free Minnesota.
Advocates were gearing up to meet with legislators at the Capitol when Hunger Day hit a snowy snag. The biggest winter storm of the season dropped double digit inches of snow across the state. With the legislature working remotely, in-person meetings quickly shifted to virtual.
Bright and early Monday morning, hundreds of advocates from every corner of Minnesota joined a powerful virtual convening. They swapped stories from the frontlines and heard from speakers about key issues and relevant policies impacting food access in Minnesota. We were thrilled to feature Minnesota House Representative Steve Gander, who shared the following message about food insecurity:
“Every one of us is closer to a point of unusual need than we realize remembering how good it feels to get help when we need it.”
– MN HOUSE Representative Steve Gander
When the Ganders’ home flooded, their family was displaced and relied on vouchers to purchase diapers and other necessities. The experience was formative for Gander, who shared, “I know how good it feels to receive help when we need it. I’ve seen first-hand the kindness and compassion delivered with the food.”
Today, Gander is a committed advocate for food support across Minnesota. Last year, Gander visited more than a dozen food shelves across Minnesota in a single day to hear about their work and what policies are needed to sustain it. During his visits, food shelves told Gander how much they relied on free food deliveries from food banks to meet swelling need in their communities.
With rising costs and food shelf visits at an all-time high, food shelves often find they are expected to do more with less. The Food Group and Partners to End Hunger Coalition (PEH) are fighting to ensure that food shelves get the resources they deserve. The Food Group is leading the effort to pass a bill to increase funding for Minnesota’s incredible food shelves, our strongest safeguard against hunger.
Another critical bill, carried by Gander, will create permanent state funding for food banks to provide more free food to the state’s food shelves. Other PEH priorities include investment in free meal programs for older adults, funding for prepared meals, and increased funding for farm to school and early care.
We also had the honor of hosting Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who shared her experience with food insecurity and how her local food shelf helped to bridge the gap.
“My family relied on SNAP for nutrition to keep food on the table. I was that kid with a different colored lunch ticket and was that kid who relied heavily on free reduced-price lunch. We also frequented STEP, a local food shelf that still exists in Saint Louis Park.”
– Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
Flanagan shared that the food support she and her family received helped her get to where she is today. “This is absolutely personal because the investments made into my family to keep food on the table, well frankly, I’m here because of those investments, not in spite of them.”
This year, Hunger Day champions were more motivated than ever to advocate for their neighbors who are experiencing unprecedented hurdles to food security with SNAP cuts and Operation Metro Surge. Flanagan sent participants off with this reminder:
“When our neighbors are struggling, we don’t turn away. We lean in. We build systems and programs to make sure that people can get through hard times.”
– Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
Participants connected with members of their districts in small groups to prepare for their virtual meetings with legislators. Then, they teamed up to share stories and advocate for change in virtual meetings with legislators.
“I enjoyed joining my neighbors to meet with our State Representative and State Senator to share information about the Partners to End Hunger Coalition agenda, including the Prepared Meals bill, as well as personal stories of impact and connection to food resources.”
– DIANE TRAN
Executive Director, M Health Fairview Center for Community Health Equity
“As an advocate, it was a privilege to meet with lawmakers and encourage them to invest in Minnesotans who genuinely need support.”
– LISA, FORMER LIVED EXPERIENCE COHORT MEMBER
We hosted 172 first-time participants and attendees from 56 out of 67 legislative districts this year. Hunger Day on the Hill brings together people of different backgrounds from different communities across our state to fight for lasting change. Although we couldn’t gather in person this year, the can-do spirit of Hunger Day on the Hill was alive and well.
“It was inspiring to see so many show up for Hunger Day to learn about hunger relief legislation and urge their legislators and leaders to take action on these important issues.”
– Cyndy Erickson, Longtime volunteer & first time Hunger Day attendee
It’s not easy to walk into a room with a legislator and share your thoughts, especially if you’re new to advocacy. But Hunger Day has never been about being a policy expert; it’s about using your voice to tell your story and share why ending hunger matters to you. One participant shared, “With each conversation with my legislators I get more comfortable and excited to help create change.”
Creating Change Together
The Food Group believes that advocacy is essential to creating food for today and change for tomorrow. We work toward a hunger-free Minnesota by championing policy for a better food system, building relationships with legislators, and investing in coalitions that bring many voices together for change.
The Food Group is proud to advocate alongside such persistent and passionate food access champions. Rain or shine (or blizzard), thank you for showing up for your neighbors and fighting for a Minnesota where no one goes hungry.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!
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