Public News Service

During Hunger Action Month, key organizations are calling on Congress to protect funding for support programs as lawmakers debate budget proposals. (Adobe Stock)

'On the edge of catastrophe': A call to arms during Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month and a food shelf coordinator in Minnesota does not see increased demand going down anytime soon. According to …

Food systems are responsible for about a third of global greenhouse-gas emissions, according to the United Nations. (Daniel Thornberg/Adobe Stock)

MN gets $200 million to reduce emissions in its food systems

The Environmental Protection Agency is giving Minnesota $200 million to reduce emissions in its food systems. The money will impact a large swath …

Advocates are concerned that large corporate

MN farmers push for more protection from corporate agriculture in Farm Bill

With a September deadline looming for Congress to finish work on renewing the Farm Bill, Minnesota family farmers are pushing for more regulations to …

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, the founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance and co-founder of Tree-Range Farms. These entities have created an

Midwest network of regenerative farmers is rethinking chicken

By Twilight Greenaway for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publi…

The Indigenous Peoples Task Force is bringing new baby food to Native populations. Those involved did extensive testing of recipes originally created by Lori Watso, a chef and nurse from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community. (Photo courtesy of Jaida Grey Eagle, Arts Midwest)<br /><br />

Indigi-Baby: MN project gets infants off to a wholesome start

By Jay Gabler for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collabo…

Leaders with a hunger-fighting group in Minnesota cite several reasons why more people are visiting food shelves. They acknowledge that skyrocketing rent is likely leaving less room for other necessities, including food. (Adobe Stock)

MN food shelves increasingly nimble in light of concerning data

Food shelves across Minnesota continue to adapt to record demand, that isn't showing any immediate signs of slowing down. This month, Hunger …

Beyond boosting land access, Minnesota's Route 1 organization is using a new grant to help emerging BIPOC farmers enhance their marketing operations. (Adobe Stock)

Farm innovations in MN seen as tool in ending racial hunger divide

Among Black Minnesotans, some 25% are food insecure. An emerging initiative aims to connect BIPOC communities with healthier and culturally …

The Minnesota School Nutrition Association reports some districts have seen a 20% to 30% increase in meal requests after the state began a universal school meal program. (Adobe Stock)

MN's no-cost school meals draw interest from research community

As Minnesota school districts near the halfway point of the academic year, plans are taking shape to study the effectiveness of no-cost meals for all …

According to the organization Hunger Solutions, Minnesota saw a record 5.5 million visits to food shelves in 2022. There is concern visits this year will be even higher. (Adobe Stock)

MN food shelves navigate record high demand

The Thanksgiving holiday is here, as too many Minnesotans still struggle with food insecurity. New state support is on the way, but with record …

Unlike temporary expansions at the start of the pandemic, free school meals for all Minnesota K-12 students are now permanent. (Adobe Stock)

MN Implements 'No-Cost Meals' for All Students

With back-to-school season here, Minnesota is implementing no-cost meals for all students, regardless of family income. As districts prepare…

Hunger relief experts say the pandemic made it much harder for marginalized populations to access healthy food, and federal relief grants helped some organizations address gaps. (Adobe Stock)

Relief Grants in MN Help Instill Hope in Addressing Food Insecurity

Minnesota saw a record 5.7 million people people visit food shelves last year. While there is still great concern about households not having enough …

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation show Minnesota has an overall high ranking for child well-being. But advocates warn that lack of access to early child education could derail outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Shines in Child Well-Being Report, But Pandemic Shows its Impact

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Minnesota fared better in the …

For years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been quickly targeted for cuts when Congress is at odds over spending priorities. (Adobe Stock)

MN Hunger Relief Leader: SNAP Threats Off Mark

Whether it's the recent debt ceiling negotiations or the Farm Bill debate, a key federal food assistance program is again at the mercy of budget …

Roughly 400,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table. (Adobe Stock)

Extra SNAP Benefits Coming to an End

This month, Minnesotans receiving federal food assistance will see their final round of emergency aid prompted by the pandemic. Additional SNAP …

Hunger-fighting groups say one in six Minnesota school children lives in a household experiencing food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

MN Looks to Erase Hunger in Schools

Better health and educational outcomes are being touted as the potential benefits as Minnesota lawmakers discuss whether to provide free school meals …

Supporters of providing free school meals to all students say it removes administrative and registration headaches for both schools and parents. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Rising Hunger, MN Sees Renewed Calls for Universal Lunches

On the heels of last week's news that Minnesota's budget surplus has grown larger, there are renewed calls to approve free school meals for all …

Minnesota leaders say they received strong demand for new grants that help food shelves stock on up culturally preferred foods in BIPOC communities. They say they might have to increase the budget in the next cycle. (Adobe Stock)

MN Ramps Up Support for Food Shelves Short on Culturally Relevant Supplies

Amid a wave of higher demand at food shelves, some locations in greater Minnesota are also trying to meet the needs of increasingly diverse …

According to recent USDA 'Farm to School' Census data, Minnesota schools that responded reported spending 13% of their budgets on local products. (Adobe Stock)

Disadvantaged MN Farmers to See New Business with School Meals

Farmers of color in Minnesota are expected to see new opportunities to get their products into school lunch programs. Their advocates said a major …

Hunger-fighting groups say when children have trouble accessing food over the summer, they might not challenge themselves as much intellectually, which puts them behind in the next school year. (Adobe Stock)

New Summer Food Benefits Surface for MN Children

In the coming days, many Minnesota families with young children - dealing with food insecurity - should see some financial aid to help get them …

Rotational grazing, a popular form of regenerative agriculture, involves moving animals through pasture to improve soil health. (Adobe Stock)

MN Farmer to Congress: Protect Small Producers, Food Security

A U.S. House subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday highlighting the threat climate change poses to the world's food supply, and how farmers can be …

The group Hunger Solutions says in a recent survey, one in three respondents who is not receiving SNAP benefits to help with food purchases reports being food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

MN Becomes Latest State to Boost SNAP Eligibility

Minnesota is now the 20th state in the nation to allow the maximum eligibility for federal SNAP benefits. Hunger-fighting groups say it comes at a …

In 2020, an average of 325 Minnesotans were served each month by the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, which follows SNAP eligibility criteria. Hunger-fighting groups fear too many other households make too much to qualify for benefits, but still can't put food on the table. (Adobe Stock)

'We're Scraping By': Hunger Concerns Spur Calls for Higher SNAP Eligibility

Food insecurity is getting more attention these days, and some working families still have trouble meeting basic needs under mounting living expenses …

In recent months, the Biden administration has pledged to spend one-billion dollars in American Rescue Plan funding to create more fairness in the meat supply chain. (Adobe Stock)

MN Farmers: High Meat Prices Due to More Than Just Inflation

As Minnesotans keep paying more for groceries, including meats, inflation gets most of the blame. But that doesn't tell the whole story, according to …

Health equity experts say struggling Minnesota families and their children are being impacted by compound stressors that include lack of access to food and technology. (Adobe Stock)

School Meal Access Back in Spotlight Following Latest COVID Disruption

January saw some Minnesota schools move back to distance learning because of COVID-19 cases. Families struggling to find their kids meals in these …

According to Hunger Solutions, SNAP customers spent a record $410,000 in SNAP/EBT and $208,000 in Market Bucks this past summer at Minnesota farmers markets. (Adobe Stock)

Record Year for MN's Market Bucks Program

MINNEAPOLIS - A program that gives low-income Minnesotans better opportunities to shop at farmers markets reports record use for 2021. The managers …

Regional food shelf directors says they don't rely only on bulk donations. And when they have to make purchases these days, costs for certain items are sometimes 10% higher. (Adobe Stock)

MN Food Banks Try to Stay Ahead of Supply, Inflation Woes

MANKATO, Minn. -- Food shelves are a key source for meeting nutritional needs of low-income households, and Minnesota locations reported they too are …

Focus on Universal Meals, Preventing 'Lunch Shaming' as MN Students Return

MINNEAPOLIS -- More Minnesota school districts are welcoming back students this week. Because of the pandemic, schools are receiving federal aid to …

According to a new national poll, 78% of families receiving monthly Child Tax Credit payments immediately spent the funds to help with housing, utilities and food costs. (Adobe Stock)

MN Parents: Expanded Tax Credit Helps, Should Be Extended

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Today is payday for many Americans. Families trying to make ends meet are also now getting a bump each month from the expanded …

While popular in summer, nearly $20,000 in Market Bucks were spent during the winter season at Minnesota farmers markets, according to the last annual report for the program. (Adobe Stock)

MN Lawmakers Urged to Spare 'Market Bucks' Funding

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - A popular program that gives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients better access to healthier foods at Minnesota …

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food waste is estimated at 30% to 40% of the U.S. food supply. (Adobe Stock)

Cutting Food Waste a Priority Following Demand Surge

MINNEAPOLIS - World Hunger Day is Friday, and Minnesota-based groups say hunger has become an even greater problem during the pandemic, across the …

Since 2011, Minnesota's Hmong American Farmers Association has helped producers with access issues, including financial tools. (Photo courtesy of HAFA)

Hmong Farmers in MN Part of Grant Effort to End Health Disparities

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Hmong farmers in Minnesota are playing a role in trying to end health disparities for marginalized residents. They're getting help …

Backers of increasing state investment in Minnesota's Farm to School lunch program say in states like Oregon, a similar program is benefiting local economies. (Adobe Stock)

MN Groups Seek Funding Boost for Farm to School Program

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. -- As Minnesota lawmakers place heavier focus on the state budget, some hope they'll boost funding for a program linking school …

Universal, no-cost school meals have been tried in certain U.S. cities. Now more state legislatures, including Minnesota, are seeing a push for this approach. (Adobe Stock)

MN Campaign Launches for Universal Free School Meals

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Transportation and learning supplies are among the things to which all K-through-12 students can have access. In Minnesota…

A new report says last year, Minnesotan seniors accounted for more than half a million food shelf visits. (Adobe Stock)

Older Minnesotans Increasingly Need Help from Food Shelves

MONTEVIDEO, Minn. -- Food shelves across Minnesota are seeing much more demand from older residents, according to newly released hunger data for the …

Each year, nearly 30,000 families get help from the Minnesota Family Investment Program, which provides payments to households with children to help cover basic expenses. (Adobe Stock)

MN Group Calls for State Stimulus for Families in Poverty

ST. PAUL, Minn. - As talks ramp up on another federal COVID-relief package, Minnesota groups point out that some families in poverty are still …

Studies have shown a lack of access to healthy foods leads to higher rates of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Grocery Store Tries Volunteer Model to Reduce Hunger

MINNEAPOLIS -- Groups that fight hunger say they're seeing more need for food assistance in the pandemic, and they hope "nutrition security" is part …

Anti-hunger groups say the pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity in Minnesota. They want state lawmakers to adopt short-term and long-term changes as they respond to greater demands for food donations. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Relief, Equal Rights to See Legislative Push in MN

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota lawmakers have kicked off the 2021 session, with pandemic-related issues commanding most of the attention. Advocates of …

Before the latest round of CARES Act funding, Hunger Solutions-Minnesota says it received nearly 350 applications for aid, totaling more $20 million. It was able to provide $12 million, spread across 239 groups. (Adobe Stock)

Emergency Aid for Hunger Relief Drying Up in MN

DULUTH, Minn. - The lack of a new federal pandemic relief bill has local governments and nonprofits worried about how people will be able to survive …

A new Census Bureau report says 143,000 Minnesota children are living in poverty. Nationwide, the number is 10.5 million. (Adobe Stock)

New Child Poverty Report Shows Mixed Data for MN

MINNEAPOLIS -- Newly released figures show Minnesota's overall childhood poverty rate declined last year. But the Census Bureau report indicates …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates between 25 million and 30 million Americans live in

Edible Forests: A Healthy Alternative to MN Food Deserts

LUVERNE, Minn. - A nonprofit group is working to create "edible forests" to provide lower-income communities, including in southwestern Minnesota…

The Pew Research Center shows that stay-at-home moms and dads account for about one-fifth of U.S. parents, meaning the other 80% are employed, either full- or part-time. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MN Among States with Fewest "Stay-at-Home" Parents During Crisis

MINNEAPOLIS -- A new online report says Minnesota ranks near the top for households without "stay-at-home" parents during the pandemic. The rankings…

In addition to seeking another waiver request, state officials say they're also asking that the federal government allow verification for SNAP recipients to be done over the phone during the crisis. (Adobe Stock)

Time Winding Down for MN Residents to Reapply for SNAP Benefits

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- SNAP recipients in Minnesota are being urged to renew their applications to avoid becoming ineligible in September. The reminder …

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota has warmed 1 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit in the last century. Scientists and clean water advocates say that's having a ripple effect on lakes and rivers, in part through more intense rainstorms. (Adobe Stock)

As Rising Temps Hurt MN Lakes, Pilot Project Seen as a Solution

WALKER, Minn. -- Minnesota is coming off a streak of extremely hot weather. But year-round, the state is warmer than it used to be, and concerns …

New projections suggest that as many as 750,000 Minnesotans will be experiencing food insecurity by the fall, meaning they're not always sure where their next meal is coming from. (Adobe Stock)

MN Provides More Funds to Fight Hunger, But Uncertainty Looms

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota food banks and food shelves will see more funding come their way to help meet increased demand during the pandemic…

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is encouraging people planning to donate extra supplies to food shelves to take in boxes from neighbors. They say fewer trips can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (Adobe Stock)

Efforts Speed Up to Help MN Food Banks in Light of COVID-19

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A number of agencies have mobilized staff members and volunteers to distribute food to Minnesotans in need in response to the new …

Groups such as the American Heart Association say during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents should avoid allowing kids to raid the pantry or fridge for unhealthy snacks. (Adobe Stock)

COVID-19: Kids at Home? Nutrition, Activities Still Necessary

MINNEAPOLIS -- With Minnesota schools closed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, parents may be trying to impose more structure at home than …

Local governments are trying to find ways to help Minnesotans who are homeless protect themselves from coronavirus exposure, and also taking steps such as suspending water shutoffs for renters and homeowners. (Adobe Stock)

Local MN Governments Ramp Up Coronavirus Response Efforts

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Advocates for homeless Minnesotans say it isn't easy for people living on the streets or in shelters to protect themselves from …

According to state officials, 4 in 10 Minnesota public school students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch programs. (Adobe Stock)

'Hunger Day' Topics at MN Legislature: Lunch Shaming, Mobile Food Shelf

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Groups in Minnesota concerned with fighting hunger are pressing state lawmakers to approve bills addressing the issue of "lunch-…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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MN: Hunger/Food/Nutrition