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Homegrown Minneapolis is a citywide initiative
expanding our community's ability to grow, process,
distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable,
locally grown foods.
December 2024
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The Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council works to ensure an environmentally sustainable and socially just food system. These meetings are a great way to meet other community members and learn more about the work that is happening within our local food system. Every meeting is accompanied by a food theme and attendees are welcome to bring food to share with others.
When: In-person meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.
Where: , 1530 Johnson St NE
What: Join us to hear about three Homegrown Community Project funding recipients who are working on sustainable growing. Following that presentation, we will break into small groups to discuss the idea of an urban agriculture resource hub.
Food theme: Comfort – it's a blustery Saturday evening. You’re inside wrapped in a warm blanket. Your favorite show or movie is on TV. You’re eating one of your favorite foods. Everything feels nice and warm. At this meeting, we invite you to bring any foods that bring you comfort and warmth to share with others.
View meeting agenda
View past Food Council meeting agendas and minutes
Homegrown Minneapolis hosts action teams to help make progress on the goals set out in the Minneapolis Food Vision. Anyone interested in helping to build a more local, equitable, and sustainable food system can get involved!
Wasted Food Action Team – Dec. 16
When: Monday, Dec. 16, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: East Lake Library, 2727 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55406 – sign up for the Wasted Food Action Team in the interest form below to receive a calendar invite.
What: We will continue planning a networking workshop for wasted food prevention.
Urban Agriculture Action Team – Dec. 17
When: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Seward Co-op Franklin Store – Community room, 2823 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406 – sign up for the Urban Agriculture Action Team in the interest form below to receive a calendar invite.
What: At this meeting, we will build off of the discussion at the December Food Council meeting. Join us to continue to explore Action 5 of the Urban Agriculture work plan of the Minneapolis Food Action Plan, which is about creating an equity-focused resource hub for growing food.
Local Food Procurement Action Team – Dec. 18
When: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1 – 2 p.m.
Where: Virtual – sign up for the Local Food Procurement Action Team in the interest form below to receive a calendar invite.
What: At this meeting, we will start to dig into what information exists about barriers faced by and needs of both producers of local food and potential buyers of local food.
Food Skills Action Team – Jan. 13
When: Monday, Jan. 13, 1 – 2 p.m.
Where: TBD, Minneapolis – sign up for the Food Skills Action Team in the interest form below to receive a calendar invite.
What: We will begin to discuss how to define food skills for the purposes of our future work, starting by looking at existing examples. In addition, there will be discussion about the existing preliminary food skills organization inventory to determine next steps.
Complete the interest form to receive more information
Learn more about the Minneapolis Food Vision and Action Plan
Colonial Market opens in Minneapolis, offering "a little bit of everything for everybody," owner says
An authentic Hispanic supermarket has opened up in a much-maligned area of Minneapolis. Colonial Market at Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue is Daniel Hernandez's second grocery store in the city. More than 80% of what's on the shelves comes from outside the U.S. Hernandez says it's about catering to the community. "Our Latino community, our Somali community, Asian community — we have a little bit of everything for everybody," says Hernandez.
To read the full article visit MSN
Minneapolis parks now have 11 community gardens
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is adding an 11th community garden as a space for people who lack yard space to grow food.
The community gardens are maintained by whoever rented or applied for them, which includes organizations, volunteers and community members.
The 11 gardens consist of Bridal Veil Gardens, Cepro Site, Dickman Park, Franklin Steele Square, Sibley Park, Powderhorn Park, Loring Park, Lyndale Farmstead Park, Lovell Square, Peavey Field Park and Sumner Field Park.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Community Garden Coordinator Becca Gross said most of Minneapolis Park’s gardens are plot-based. Other community gardens have volunteers who garden to give to food shelves, staff-lead recreation areas for kids to take care of gardens and gardens that allow anyone to use them.
To read the full article visit MN Daily
To apply for a community garden plot visit the Minneapolis Parks page
Food shelves see record demand as Minnesotans struggles to afford groceries
Food shelves expect to see nearly 9 million visits this year, a 1.5 million jump from 2023. Gov. Tim Walz plans to use $5 million in federal funds to help with the growing demand.
Theresa Jones was one of roughly 2,000 people who stopped by Union Gospel Mission this week for a free turkey and bag of groceries. In recent years, the turkey pickup has become part of how she makes it through the holiday.
“Since COVID, it’s been really getting stressful,” said Jones, 62, of Inver Grove Heights, who can’t always keep up with the costs of rent, food and the car she needs to get to her St. Paul job. “I was considered median-income and now I’m considered low-income, because I can’t afford nothing.”
The number of people struggling to afford to eat has climbed over the past decade and Minnesota is on track for its third consecutive year of record-breaking visits to food shelves. The state is likely to see close to 9 million food shelf visits by the end of this year, about 1.5 million more than last year. Rising prices have driven more people, particularly seniors, to seek help.
To read the full article visit the Minnesota Star Tribune
More than 30 Countries sign the COP29 Declaration on reducing methane from organic waste
More than 30 countries signed on to the COP29 “Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste.” Representing 47% of global methane emissions from organic waste, these countries declared “their intent to work collaboratively and expeditiously to increase the pace and scale of action” toward eight objectives that together focus on prevention, separate collection, and improved management of organic waste.”
To read the full article visit ReFED
Minneapolis Edible Boulevards free cooking class – Dec. 7
On Dec. 7, Salsa a la Salsa's Lorenzo Ariza will teach us how to make a favorite dish on the menu, Enplatanadas (a take on plantain enchiladas that is muy delicioso).
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When: Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to noon
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Where:The first 12 registrants may attend in-person at the Seward Community Co-op – Friendship Store (317 E. 38th St.), others may join via Zoom
Despite the cold, December is the perfect time to pick up sustainable gifts, local food, and handmade goods at several winter farmers markets across Minneapolis. Support local farmers and producers all while finding something special this month!
View winter market schedules and locations:
- Visit the Mill City Winter Market Dec. 7 and 21, as well as the 1st and 3rd Saturdays January through April.
- Visit the Minneapolis Farmers Market Dec. 7, 14, and 21 as well as select Saturdays January through April.
- Visit Northeast Farmers Market Dec. 8, as well as one Sunday a month January through April.
- Neighborhood Roots winter market is closed in December, but you can visit Jan. 11, Feb. 8, and March 8.
To learn more about winter farmers markets, visit the Find a Farmers Market webpage
Maple Syrup 101 – Dec. 12
Join University of Minnesota Extension educators and Master Gardeners for this winter webinar for beginning gardeners and homeowners.
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When: Dec. 12, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
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Where: Online via Zoom
For more information and the link to register visit University of Minnesota Extension
Minnesota Farm Bureau Urban Agriculture Conference – Feb. 8
The inaugural Urban Ag Conference took place on Jan.13, 2024 on the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities St. Paul campus. It was a capacity crowd, with over 130 attendees connecting with local and state leaders on the issues facing those involved in urban agriculture and food systems, including land access, water access, funding and more. Full event details and registration for 2025 will be available soon.
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When: Feb. 8, 2025
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Where: St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55102
For more information visit the Minnesota Farm Bureau website
Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Annual Conference – Feb. 8
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When: Feb. 8, 2025
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Where: College of Saint Benedict, 37 College Ave. S. St Joseph, MN 56374
For more information visit the Minnesota Farm Bureau website
Awards supporting the future of Lepidoptera conservation – deadline Jan. 7
The Xerces Society offers annual awards to support students pursuing educational research in Lepidoptera conservation. They’re investing in the future of our planet and our field by sponsoring the next generation of butterfly and moth conservationists through these grants.
For more information visit Xerces Society website
Grants to expand access to fresh foods – deadline Jan. 16
To expand Minnesotans’ access to fresh and culturally appropriate foods, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has opened applications for its Good Food Access Program (GFAP) Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant.
The grant helps grocery stores and small food retailers purchase equipment or make physical improvements that will allow them to increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods (including produce) for underserved communities in low- and moderate-income areas. The agency will award up to $935,000 in this round of funding, and applicants may request between $5,000 and $75,000 for their projects.
For more information visit the MDA website
Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant available alongside AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant – deadline Jan. 30
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is once again offering $1.87 million for this round of its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Urban Agriculture Grant. In addition, the MDA is offering a new Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant with a total of $75,000 available, thanks to funding from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
For more information visit the MDA website
$1 million in funding available for People’s Gardens – deadline Jan. 30
Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the People’s Garden Initiative through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, in partnership with The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The program will fund projects that support community-based gardens promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit people and wildlife. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 30, 2025.
For more information visit The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s website
Lower cost equipment for seeding and transplanting on vegetable farms
The University of Minnesota is publishing a series of articles about low-cost equipment that can make farming more efficient on a small-scale. All of the equipment highlighted works well for farmers on rented land, as it can be easily moved to a new site.
For more information visit the University of Minnesota Extension’s website
Grower Support Specialist: The Good Acre
Grower Support Specialist (GSS) is responsible for supporting a caseload of farm partners, offering tailored levels of support to farm partners in improving partner success rates and wholesale readiness indicators. Including wholesale readiness program oversight and implementation.
For more information visit The Good Acre
Outreach Coordinator: Renewing the Countryside
The outreach coordinator is a full-time position that will build capacity in supporting small and medium-sized producers. This project seeks to increase farm and ranch resilience through facilitating the implementation of sustainable practices and creating easier/clearer pathways to conservation programs and their resources.
For more information visit Renewing the Countyside
Anti-Hunger Program Manager: The Food Group – deadline Dec. 13
The Anti-Hunger Program Manager is responsible for the overall success of the Anti-Hunger team which includes supporting our food shelf and meal programs partners.
For more information visit The Food Group’s jobs page
Program/Project Specialist (Forever Green Initiative): University of Minnesota
The Forever Green Program Specialist will be responsible for managing the inventory of product samples and outreach materials for use at a wide variety of outreach and engagement activities.
For more information visit University of Minnesota Careers page
Food Access & Delivery Specialist: CLUES
The Food Access & Delivery Specialist (Specialist) will provide services to individuals and families in need of emergency food through food distribution, surplus food collection and delivery, and delivery of home food boxes.
For more information visit Local Job Networks
Next Gen Ag Leaders mentorship program: Green Lands Blue Waters – deadline Dec. 16
This 2024-2025 mentorship program will support two cohorts of learners from all walks of life connecting with incredible mentors, farmers, and trainers representing diverse ag communities across the Upper Midwest. The program is led by Dr. Akilah Martin and Green Lands Blue Waters.
Top three food policy items to watch during Trump’s second presidency
With Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, the stakes for the nation’s future remain high. International as well as domestic affairs grow increasingly more volatile, the growth of both the U.S. economy and the job market have slowed, and the effects of a warming climate are becoming more and more apparent with each season.
All of these issues pose unique challenges to the American food landscape. With a mandate for fiscal conservatism, the previous Trump administration proved itself willing to cut essential federal programs that fund food access initiatives and support for farmers.
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