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Dear neighbors,
Did you know that 40% of food we produce and purchase in the US is thrown out? Individually, this is:
- 2.3 pounds of food waste per person, per week;
- $2500 A YEAR for a family of 4; and
- Over $1 BILLION dollars of food waste across Hennepin County annually.
We are taking big steps at Hennepin County to incentivize large-scale disruption of these habits in homes, cities, businesses, and across our communities. Late last month we:
- Recognized Food Waste Prevention Week in Hennepin as April 7-13
- We cemented partnership with the City of Minneapolis to incentivize and grow their organics collection and recycling
- And we received an update from staff on how we are raising awareness, funding partner organizations, and rescuing food.
If you would like to learn more about how to check your own consumption habits, reduce waste, and help make your dollars go further, check out Hennepin County's TRASH or CASH educational initiative. Until next time!
Sincerely,
Debbie Goettel
What's happening at Hennepin County, and across the district:
Make sure to follow me on Twitter! @HennepinDebbie
The first Earth Day in 1970 mobilized millions of Americans to demand action and launch the modern environmental movement. Since then, Earth Day has evolved into the largest civic event on the planet, activating billions of people each year to care for the environment and take action for a brighter future.
There are events and cleanups all over the metro. Join in with your neighbors to help make our part of the world a cleaner and more resilient place.
Explore all the opportunities on our Earth Day and Arbor Day events map.
District Five cleanups:
A snapshot of three county-funded affordable housing developments that are now welcoming renters
Getting an affordable housing development off the ground can be a long—and complicated—process. It's only made possible through the joint efforts of partners across the region, including developers, banks, property managers, government, investors, regulatory bodies, and of course, tenants.
So, when construction is complete and units are ready to be leased, it’s a cause for celebration. Read about three recent Hennepin County-funded projects that will create a total of 128 brand new units affordable at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI): Moving in and heading home
We are lucky to have such established and resourced organizations that increase food security in the Fifth District. If you, your loved ones, or someone you know is in need of food, look to these places to secure help and support:
VEAP is the Twin Cities’ largest food pantry, providing access to healthy foods, social services, and financial assistance.
VEAP: Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People
9600 Aldrich Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55420
Monday – Friday
9 am – 4:30 pm
"Fare For All" is a pop-up grocery store that offers 30-40 percent reduced price groceries with locations in Richfield and Bloomington. If you our a loved need reduced price food this winter or holiday season, don't hesitate to visit a location.
Fare For All: a reduced price, pop-up grocery store near you
Bloomington: Creekside Community Center
** New location coming soon while Creekside Community Center is rebuilt**
Monthly Day & Time: Once a Month on a Friday from 11 am - 1 pm
Dates 2025: May 16
Richfield Community Center
Monthly Day & Time: Once a Month on a Tuesday from 1- 3 pm
Dates 2025: April 22, May 20, June 24, July 29, August 26, September 23, October 14, November 18, December 16
A Real ID or passport will be required for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025. If you need to renew your license, take a few minutes to compare the standard license and Real ID and click here.
Be on the lookout for your 2025 property tax statement to come in the mail. It will have the unique enrollment code you can use to sign up for electronic property notices.
http://hennepin.us/property-notices
Hennepin County provides funding to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and make positive behavior changes. Eligible organizations include schools and school districts, early childhood family education programs, nonprofit organizations, community groups, congregations, and park districts.
About various Green Partners programs
We have updated the criteria for all three Green Partners programs for 2025. Applicants should review the information available on the Green Partners website to ensure they apply for the program type that best fits their project.
Youth Environmental Education program
Open for applications. Due by 3 p.m. on April 17. Youth Environmental Education projects engage youth in elementary and middle school in environmental education and outdoor nature experiences.
Youth Environmental Leadership program
Opening for applications on April 2. Due by 3 p.m. on May 1. Youth Environmental Leadership projects encourage environmental leadership and/or exposure to green jobs for young people in high school up to age 24.
Contact us
For more information and to watch an information meeting, visit hennepin.us/greenpartners or contact the Green Partners program manager at greenpartners@hennepin.us or 612-596-6856.
With the summer months on their way that means one thing: more sightings of our prevalent and pesky state bird, THE MOSQUITO.
Founded in 1958, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District's mission is: to promote health and well being by protecting the public from disease and annoyance caused by mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, in an environmentally sensitive manner.
The MMCD is funded through property taxes to provide a variety of services to over 3 million people living in an area covering 2,900 square miles in the seven county Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. These services:
- Survey for and control mosquitoes that transmit human diseases,
- Monitor deer tick populations and provide public education regarding Lyme and other tick-borne diseases,
- Survey for and control nuisance causing mosquitoes, biting gnats, and mosquitoes that transmit dog heartworm,
- Public education regarding all aspects of District programs, with emphasis on ways to reduce risk of mosquito and tick-borne diseases.
Check out the MMCD's interactive map to see what areas and bodies of water in your communities have received treatment to limit mosquito breeding and protect public health.
Current and upcoming lane and ramp closures on I-494
2025 Transportation Activities Webmap
Check out what’s happening across the county or zoom into your district to see what’s happening closer to you. To learn more about each project, just click on the line or dot on the map.
Transportation Capital Projects Webmap
Other resources:
Metropolitan Council weekly construction update
MnDOT- Metro Area State highway and bridge projects
Richfield Farmers Market - Celebrating 36 years in 2025!
Saturday mornings, May 3rd through October 25th
May-August, 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
September-October, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
6335 Portland Ave, Richfield, MN, 55423
Outdoor Market - See 2025 dates below!
Saturdays, June 7 - October 18, 2025
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
East Lot, Bloomington Civic Plaza
View the Outdoor Market Vendor Directory
Celebrate Arbor Day with a walk around Staring Lake, and other fun activities!
Event Highlights
- Tree walk and talk
- Kids tree climb
- Seedling giveaway (while supplies last)
- Hands-on art activities
- Info on trees, native plants and sustainability
- Free compost
- Free bandanas for leashed dogs (while supplies last)
Date: 04/26/2025 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Staring Lake Park,14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347
Food Truck
Hennepin History Museum presents Hennepin Fest, a women-led music festival celebrating the diverse history and culture of our community!
This free outdoor festival features music and spoken word by local women artists, including:
Diane, DJ/MC
local radio host and producer
Hennepin Fest will also include a Vendor Village with local artists, artisans, and food vendors.
Stay tuned for more announcements, including spoken word artists, vendors and performance schedule.
Check out events happening at a Hennepin County library near you. Filter for specific geographic areas, age groups, and different types of events to find something unique to you and your family!
Learn more at Hennepin County Library events.
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Whether it's a housing crisis, energy assistance question, or child protection concern, we are here to help you navigate these and other issues.
Please call our office at 612-348-7885 or contact us to seek assistance or ask a question.
Contact
Commissioner Debbie Goettel
Hennepin County District 5
Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield | SW Minneapolis
612-348-7885
Graham Faulkner
Policy Director
612-596-7078
Kate Nelson
District Director
612-348-7885
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