Food Resources
If you need a little extra help putting food on the table, you’ve come to the right place!
Everyone Needs a Little Help from Time to Time
So many families are just one job change, health issue, or rent increase away from needing a little extra help putting food on the table. Many families only need to access food resources for a period of time until they get back on their feet. No matter your circumstance, there is a program that can help. If the programs below aren’t right for you, Hunger Solutions has a helpful tool to locate a food shelf or meal program near you. You can also call the Minnesota Food Helpline at 1-888-711-1151.
Food Shelves
Open Cupboard, Today’s Harvest, and Friends in Need are all right here in our community.
- Who: Available to anyone in need of food. There is a car-side intake process to determine if you are income eligible, but you will be served regardless of income. No pre-registration is required.
- What: Drive-up food service provides fresh produce, meat, dairy, deli items, and non-perishable food items. They also provide diapers, pet food, personal hygiene items and household items such as toilet paper, dish soap, and paper towels.
- Where: 8264 4th St N, Oakdale, MN 55128
- When: Thursdays 2pm – 6 pm, Fridays 10 am – 2 pm. No appointment is necessary. Families may come one time each week.
- Notes: Deliveries are available in Washington and Ramsey counties for those unable to drive. More info here.
- Who: Available to anyone. No documentation or identification required.
- What: Today’s Harvest is a free market that provides fresh produce, meat, dairy, and bakery items we rescue each day from local grocery stores, farms, and other partners.
- Two Locations:
- When: Monday-Friday 12 to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm. No appointment is necessary. At busy times you may be given a beeper and called in the order you arrived. Families may come every day if needed.
- Notes: Today’s Harvest does not provide deliveries.
- Who: Available to anyone. No documentation or identification required.
- What: Basic Needs Food Market a walk-in, welcoming, dignity-based, choice-focused food market, including well-stocked grocery staples, a consistent supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Location:
- 8475 East Point Douglas Road, Ste. 106, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
- When: Monday , Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30am – 5:30pm , Tuesday & Friday 10:30am-3pm
Saturday & Sunday: Visit our Free Little Pantry at the Cottage Grove Library ; Food Market Closed Weekends - Notes: Basic Needs does not provide deliveries.
- Who: Serving residents of Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, and Grey Cloud Island
- What: They offer fresh produce, deli, dairy, meat, milk, eggs, non-perishables, toiletries, and pet food in a grocery store-style setting. They allow clients to come every other week.
- Location: 535 4th St, St Paul Park, MN 55071
- When: Shopping hours are Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 pm. To better serve you, please make an appointment on Mondays between 12:00-3:00 p.m. or Tuesdays after 7:30 a.m.
- Notes: An appointment is needed to shop. Curbside pickup and deliveries are available in some circumstances.
Food Harvest of St Croix Valley
For over 20 years, Food Harvest has been providing individuals and families on tight food budgets with a quantity of fresh produce, breads, dairy and other nutritious foods not always available at a regular food shelf or pantry.
Website l 612-708-6799
Fruit of the Vine, Burnsville
Fruit of the Vine Burnsville provides a food pantry.
Website l 612-567-3688
SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS
District 833’s Community Education Skoolie Bus will be out in South Washington County communities every Monday-Thursday during the summer offering free activities and food for kids. All are invited to attend and take part in the fun.
The Summer Food Service Program
Families with kids who access free and reduced-price meals during the school year might need a little extra help in summer. There are hundreds of locations across Minnesota that serve complimentary snacks and meals to all children and teens 18 years old and younger during the summer!
OTHER FOOD ASSISTANCE
- What: Food assistance
- Who: You qualify based on income, expenses, and household size
- How: To see if you qualify, or if you need assistance with your application or recertification, call Emily Bowman from Second Harvest Heartland at 651-307-9033.
- What: Food and cash assistance. Also offers help finding and keeping employment, as well as childcare assistance while family members search for jobs.
- Who: Families with children, who qualify based on income, expenses and household size. Refugee families with children can receive cash and food assistance.
- How: Point of contact is the county you reside in (Washington County, Ramsey County)
- What: Food assistance
- Who: Legal noncitizens age 50 or older who do not qualify for SNAP because of their citizenship status.
- How: Point of contact is the county you reside in (Washington County, Ramsey County)
- (also called CSFP – Commodity Supplemental Food Program)
- What: Second Harvest Heartland provides a box of nutritious food to those eligible.
- Who: Eligible low-income seniors age 60 and older
- How: To see if you are eligible, call Second Harvest at 651-484-8241.
- What: WIC is a nutrition and breastfeeding program
- Who: Eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children.
- How: Point of contact is the county you reside in (Washington County| 651-430-6658 , Ramsey County)
- Who: Anyone can shop at 30+ pop up sites in the Twin Cities and Greater MN.
- What: Fare For All is a pop-up grocery store. They sell packs of fresh produce and frozen meat at up to 40% off of retail prices.
Market Bucks
Market Bucks help SNAP customers stretch their dollars at the farmer’s market-making healthy food more affordable. Market Bucks match SNAP-EBT spending dollar-for-dollar (up to $10) at participating farmers’ markets across Minnesota. Learn more here!