The Food Group is fighting for a Minnesota where everyone has the food they need to thrive. To fight hunger statewide, we engage in public policy advocacy and grassroots organizing alongside community members, partners, food shelves, and legislative champions. Here’s a look at what we accomplished this year.
The 2026 legislative session ended with a powerful win for hunger relief in much-needed funding for food shelves and food banks. We also sowed future seeds for state investment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and sustained hunger relief funding.
Going into this year’s legislative session, many legislators were set on tightening the state budget and limiting spending to a handful of items. Food access leaders and community members persevered against strong headwinds, arguing that the hunger relief system was at a breaking point due to record need.
Hunger Relief Funding Passes
Food shelves served a record 9 million visits in 2025, more than 2.5 times the visits recorded in 2019. Already in 2026, food shelves have clocked three of the four busiest months in history. State investment in food shelves is more urgent than ever.
Hunger relief funding has not kept pace with growing need. The gap is only growing wider as Minnesotans face the double bind of high prices and federal disinvestment in food assistance programs. Dom Korbel, Executive Director of Community Pathways of Steele County, has seen rising need firsthand in his community.
Every week at Community Pathways, we meet families who are doing everything they can — working hard, stretching budgets, and still finding themselves needing help putting food on the table. We hear from seniors choosing between medication and groceries, parents skipping meals so their kids can eat, and neighbors asking for help for the very first time.
Dom Korbel, Community Pathways of Steele County Executive Director
Going into the session, food shelves were set to receive roughly fifty percent less state funding than last year. Food banks were also poised to receive significantly less funding for free food to distribute to food shelves. The likely result would have been reductions in hours, longer lines, and fewer food options.
Despite the challenging climate this session, we’re proud to say that we worked together to keep food on Minnesota tables. The Food Group and Partners to End Hunger Coalition secured $5 million in one-time funding for food shelves (on top of $4.6 million already allocated) and $5 million in one-time funding for food banks!
Collaborating with Food Shelf Partners
“Together, we helped bring the voices and realities of Minnesota families to the Capitol. This funding is more than a budget item—it represents stability, dignity, and hope for thousands of households across our state.”
Dom Korbel, Community Pathways of Steele County Executive Director
None of these victories would be possible without the dedication and expertise of our food shelf partners.
Executive Director of ICA Food Shelf Dan Narr testifying
Food shelves are on the frontlines of the fight against hunger, but they need resources to hold that line. One-time funding is a critical win for hunger relief, but we need long-term solutions. We will keep fighting alongside food shelves for consistent, reliable funding.
Leading with Lived Experience
This year’s policy victories belong to everyone who testified, advocated, signed on to an action alert, and used their voice to call for change. Our annual Hunger Day on the Hill brought together more than 300 food access champions in this effort.
The Food Group’s Lived Experience Leadership Network was a driving force this session with 3 members testifying in support of our policy initiatives and 2 members sharing their stories in media.
Lived Experience Leadership Cohort Member Melisssa testifying
This was the third Lived Experience Leadership Cohort, a group created to amplify the stories and wisdom of people who have or are experiencing food-insecurity. Melissa, a 2026 cohort member, shared how the cohort impacted her.
It was very empowering to be able to participate in the cohort, share my personal story, reach the ears of lawmakers with my testimony and help speak for those who are hurting from hunger and cannot speak for themselves.
Melissa, 2026 Lived Experience Cohort Member
One of our cohort alums shared her story with National Public Radio to raise awareness about the impact of massive SNAP cuts passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Lisa, another alum member of the cohort, penned a powerful Opinion Editorial in the Star Tribune that we hand-delivered to legislators as they deliberated hunger relief funding. Lisa also took the opportunity to urge readers to get involved in policy:
I know what it’s like to feel helpless to change things, but I’ve realized I do have power. Small actions can have big ripples and our voices do matter.
Lisa Williams, Lived Experience Leadership Cohort Alum
Lived Experience Leadership Network Celebration
Laying Foundations for SNAP Defense
The Food Group founded the Partners in SNAP Defense Coalition this year, which led the charge on another key policy initiative, MNSNAP. MNSNAP would support those at risk of losing access to SNAP due to the federal changes within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. We were thrilled to receive a hearing for the bill. Although MNSNAP did not pass this session, we were able to use our time to make the case to legislators for state action to preserve benefits. We also identified new champions in defense of SNAP and amplified the stories of SNAP participants impacted by work requirements and cuts.
“Our collective power and wisdom was on display defending SNAP this session, setting us up for success next year.
Leah Gardner, Policy Director
Other PEH Policy Priorities
The Food Group leads the Partners to End Hunger Coalition, which also sought funding for the Senior Nutrition Program, Prepared Meals State Grant, and the Farm to School and Early Care Program. Unfortunately, these priorities were not funded this year, but we will continue advocating for these critical services next year.
Looking to 2026
We are so proud of everything we accomplished together in 2026, and we are excited to mobilize again next year for sustained food shelf funding and SNAP defense!
Thank you for taking action to make sure everyone has access to the food they need. Every voice helps shape a more equitable Minnesota.
Rachel Holmes, Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement
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