The Food Group works to address and shed light on food insecurity in our community.

KARE 11’s Sharon Yoo visited our New Hope, Minnesota, warehouse this week to bust some myths about our improving economy and the people who access our food pantry partners.

“We have crossed the three million visits a year statewide benchmark for eight years in a row,” The Food Group’s Director of Programs Sophia Lenarz-Coy told Yoo. “We are seeing very similar levels of usage at the height of the recession.”

Need is Still High
There are signs the economy is bouncing back. But, the need for food is still high. Nearly 1 in 10 households in Minnesota face food insecurity, according to Hunger Solutions. So, The Food Group and the services our partners provide are important as ever.

“It doesn’t show signs of slowing down in 2019, so this idea that there are lots of folks in our community not sure how to make ends meet and figure out where their next meal is coming from-the problem is real,” Lenarz-Coy said.

Watch the video above for the full interview. Read Kare 11’s story here.

About The Food Group
For more than 40 years, The Food Group has worked to provide good foods to those who need it most in our community. With a mission of fighting hunger and nourishing our community, we focus on local food access, equity, and nutrition issues related to food and hunger in more than 32 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The Food Group works on both ends of the food system from production to distribution. Working towards building a better local food system for all, we focus on breaking down barriers to growing good food locally and breaking down barriers to getting good food to those who need it most.

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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