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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.
January 2025
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An opportunity to support permanent community gardens - hearing on Jan. 21
Gardens grow fresh food and local community, providing many benefits to our city. That is why the Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) department, the Public Works department, and Homegrown coordinate the Garden Lease Program. This program leases City-owned vacant properties for community and market gardens. Nearly 60 lots were leased in 2024. Under the current program, the gardens on these lots are temporary because the land can be sold to a developer or other owner.
As part of implementing the Minneapolis Food Action Plan, Homegrown aims to preserve the benefits of community gardens on certain CPED-owned properties by selling some of them to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) through a permanent community garden pilot project. Six lots are eligible for the pilot at this time. MPRB does not sell land for development, so the lots would be preserved as gardens for years to come. Additionally, the gardens would still be independently managed by their current organizers.
Three of the gardens eligible for the permanent community garden pilot program were approved for purchase by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) on Dec. 4 and will go to City Council for approval of sale in January. Three other eligible lots were found to have potential environmental concerns after a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, requiring further consideration before MPRB agrees to purchase them.
City Council approval is necessary for this sale to proceed. There will be a public hearing at the Business Housing and Zoning Committee meeting Jan. 21 and a full City Council vote Jan. 30. Community members are welcome to participate in the following ways:
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You can provide comments that will be included in public record. The form is available on our website.
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We expect the hearing to be at the City Council meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 21. You can sign up to speak at the public hearing. The City Council meets in Council Chambers, which has temporarily moved to Room 350 in the Public Service Center, 250 South Fourth Street. If you wish to speak, you can register to speak when you arrive. Speaker registration is available 30 minutes prior to the meeting. Generally, you will be given two minutes to speak. Check our notices for public hearings page. (The notice is typically available 48 hours before the meeting.)
The Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council works to ensure an environmentally sustainable and socially just food system. These meetings are always open to the public. They are also 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, Jan. 8, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S.
What we'll be doing - Join us to hear from a few organizations engaged in food skills education:
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Ben Rengstorf, Roosevelt [High School] Culinary Arts
- Caroline Hall, Hope Community, Inc.
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TBD, Midwest Food Connection
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Followed by a food skills-related discussion
Food Theme: Home – Whether home is here in Minneapolis, a road trip, or a long flight away, we invite you to bring food to share that tells us about your home and helps us get to know you a little better.
Looking for a good read this winter? We’ll host a food systems-themed book exchange at the January meeting. Bring a book to pass along or come peruse a selection of books brought by others.
Homegrown Minneapolis hosts action teams which help us 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!
See below for upcoming action team meetings:
Food Skills Action Team – Jan. 13
When: Monday, Jan. 13, 1 – 2 p.m.
Where: Virtual – 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.
Wasted Food Action Team – Jan. 13
When: Monday, Jan. 13, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual – sign up for the Wasted Food Action Team in the interest form below to receive a calendar invite.
What: We will continue planning for an early April event to support restaurants in preventing wasted food.
Urban Agriculture Action Team – Jan. 14
When: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual – sign up for the Urban Agriculture Action Team in the interest form below to receive a calendar invite.
What: At this meeting, we will continue the discussion about resource hubs. Optional: come prepared to share an example from another city of an “urban agriculture resource hub,” including its format and funding source.
GreenLight Fund Twin Cities invests in tech platform to combat hunger
The GreenLight Fund Twin Cities (GLFTC) announced a multi-year investment to bring Food Connect to the Twin Cities, addressing the urgent need for food security solutions. Food Connect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gaps in our food system to end hunger, stop food waste and build health uses a logistics tech platform and leverages collaboration to deliver results. Having already provided over 3 million on-demand meals nationwide, Food Connect is now poised to partner with existing local food initiatives in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota food shelves look for ways to serve more than cans and boxes
When most of us think of a food shelf, we have a very specific image in mind of stacked cans and boxed items. But fresh food has become a priority for both food shelves in Minnesota and their clients. In the 2022 Minnesota Food Shelf Client Survey, more than 7,000 food shelf shoppers indicated that they most wanted to see “fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy and eggs,” said Kate Burggraff, executive director of the Foundation for Essential Needs (FFEN).
Who can say it’s healthy? The FDA has a new definition for food labels
At a time when more than half of the American diet comes from processed, packaged foods, the Food and Drug Administration has new rules aimed at helping people make healthy choices in the grocery store.
The agency has updated the definition of what counts as healthy. Food companies can voluntarily use a “healthy” claim on their packages if their products meet the new definition.
For a food product to qualify as “healthy” it must contain certain amounts of at least one of the food groups included in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This includes dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables and protein foods such as beans, lean meats, nuts, seafood and soy.
Farmers Markets of Minneapolis vendor info session – Jan. 6
Join the Farmers Markets of Minneapolis Collaborative to learn more about getting started at markets in the city. This online informational session will include an overview of each Minneapolis market, insights into their application processes, and a breakdown of City/State permits and licenses, as well as a Q&A at the end. Don't miss out on this opportunity to equip yourself with the knowledge needed for successful market participation!
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When: Jan. 6, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
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Where: Virtual
Register on Eventbrite
Growing microgreens – Jan. 18
A brief presentation about what microgreens are, the at-home growing process, and what supplies are needed. The class will then finish with a question and answer and an optional opportunity to purchase microgreens to take home.
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When: Jan. 18, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Where: McKinley Community building, 3300 Lyndale Ave. N.
USDA makes $2 billion available to support expansion of current and development of new markets – deadline Jan. 8
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs, is now accepting applications from now through Jan. 8.
For more information visit the Farm Service Agency
Food Literacy for All – livestream starting Jan. 21
Food Literacy for All is a community-academic partnership course based at the University of Michigan. Structured as an evening lecture series, it features different guest speakers each week to address challenges and opportunities of diverse food systems. The course is free and open to the public.
Food Literacy for All 2025 begins on Jan. 14 with a course overview followed by an in-person/live streamed class on Jan. 21. The class will be available on Zoom each week starting Jan. 28. Video recordings will be published after each class on the SFSI website, YouTube, and our social media pages.
For more information visit MSLA
Midwest Farmers of Color grants – deadline Jan. 17
This growing season, Midwest Farmers of Color Collective's Cultivators Fund will offer 45 grants of $500.
Cultivators Fund provides a well-needed boost to BIPOC cultivators, independent growers, and small BIPOC-owned businesses who practice sustainable and agroecological growing methods, stewardship of traditional knowledge, and community engagement. Grants will be awarded by random lottery, to a selection of those who apply from now through Jan. 17 to be evaluated by the Coordination Team and delivered by the end of February.
To apply visit Google Docs
AGRI urban agriculture grant – deadline Jan. 30
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering $1.87 million for its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Urban Agriculture Grant. For Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and tribal communities seeking to promote urban youth agricultural education and community development.
Offers up to $75,000 per project for approved recipients.
For more information visit Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Urban farm conservation mini-grant – deadline Jan. 30
The MDA is offering a new Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant with a total of $75,000 available. Offers up to $5,000 per approved recipient. Can cover a variety of tools, supplies, services, and other expenses related to improving conservation practices on their urban farm.
For more information visit Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Promise of Urban Agriculture courses – free until Jan. 31
USDA AMS, in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms Program and Rooted, introduces the Promise of Urban Agriculture courses! The courses represent an innovative and holistic approach to support urban farming businesses and communities. The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses are available online and are free to those who register for the courses by Jan. 31.
Strategic Engagement Manager: WRAP – deadline Jan. 5
The Strategic Engagement Manager will lead work with businesses on driving a circular economy.
WRAP is on the cusp of launching an industry ‘first’ set of new product standards, the Circular Living Standards, and this role will be critical to the programs success.
For more information visit WRAP
Director of Impact Capital Programs: ReFED – deadline Jan. 5
The Director will manage a talented team and serve as a key advisor and relationship builder for capital providers, particularly those in U.S. philanthropy and impact investing. The Director will oversee key initiatives such as our funder coalition, advisory services, and trend reports.
For more information visit ReFED
Public Health Pathways Program Intern: Minneapolis Health Department – deadline Jan. 5
This specific internship cohort is available for undergraduate and graduate students who have graduated between February 2024 and January 2025, or are already in school. This internship will last five months and span from the end of January until the end of May.
For more information visit Government Jobs
Farm Intern: Urban Ventures – deadline Jan. 6
Join the Urban Ventures Internship Program as a Farm Intern and gain valuable skills while creating tangible change in your community in a paid role. Farm work, plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables at our five-acre farm in Lakeville (transportation provided). Facilitate garden-based field trips for K-8 grade students and events for families at our 1-acre garden in Minneapolis
For more information visit Urban Ventures
Communications Lead: Agroecology Fund – deadline Jan. 15
The person in the Communications Lead position will hold the strategy for all of the Agroecology Fund’s (AEF) communications, and manage all consultants needed to support communications. The Communications Lead will be responsible for project management on all AEF comms components.
Open Arms: Multiple opportunities
Open Arms of Minnesota (OAM) is a nonprofit that prepares and delivers healthy, nutritious food to people living with life-threatening illnesses. In two state-of-the-art kitchens, OAM staff members and more than 4,700 volunteers create meals specifically designed for our client’s nutritional needs.
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Chef and Volunteer Ambassador
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Baker and Volunteer Ambassador
The great grocery squeeze
The concept of the food desert has been around long enough that it feels almost like a fact of nature. Tens of millions of Americans live in low-income communities with no easy access to fresh groceries, and the general consensus is that these places just don’t have what it takes to attract and sustain a supermarket. They’re either too poor or sparsely populated to generate sufficient spending on groceries, or they can’t overcome a racist pattern of corporate redlining.
But these explanations fail to contend with a key fact: Although poverty and ruralness have been with us forever, food deserts arrived only around the late 1980s. Prior to that, small towns and poor neighborhoods could generally count on having a grocery store, perhaps even several.
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