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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.
March 2025
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Why you should join a food council
The Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council is currently recruiting candidates for one- or two-year terms to begin in July 2025. The food council played a critical role in helping us develop the Minneapolis Food Vision. It continues to help shape implementation as well as advising the Mayor and City Council on food systems issues.
There are many reasons to join a food council. They can be summarized in the article “Want to Change the Food System? Join a Food Policy Council” by Anjali Prasertong, author of the “Antiracist Dietitian” Substack.
- You will meet other people who are about food and equity: “People who do work related to food access, farming, or food production, people who work in the food service industry or in healthcare, food entrepreneurs, parents, college students, or truly anyone who believes their food system could be better serving their community has an important perspective to contribute.”
- Synergy > reinventing the wheel: “There is so much to do. But one of the best things about getting involved with a food policy council is that you realize how many organizations there are doing great work, and through partnerships and collaboration, you can help build on that work, instead of doing it all yourself.”
- It feels good to contribute to grassroots change: “Connection is healing. Connection to others as you work together toward a shared vision, connection to your community as you support organizations doing important work, and connection to the results of your labor.”
Read the full article on the “Antiracist Dietitian” substack
Attend an informal applicant information session to hear from current members, learn about the work, and ask questions. Applications are now being accepted until March 31.
Information Session
When: Wednesday, March 12, from 5 – 5:30 p.m.
(The Food Council meeting runs from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Please stay for the full meeting to see what we’re all about!)
Where: Powderhorn Park Recreation Center, 3400 15th Ave. S.
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 also accompanied by a food theme and attendees are welcome to bring food to share with others.
When: In-person meeting on Wednesday, March 12 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S.
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We will recap Homegrown’s successes from 2024.
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Dayna Adams with Open Arms of Minnesota and Chris Pangle with Church of the Incarnation will present on two Homegrown Community Projects funded through the Climate Legacy Initiative. They will share how current immigration and federal funding policies are impacting their work to provide culturally responsive food to community members.
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We will learn about an upcoming process to disseminate $50,000 in City funds to assist with community-focused ownership and operation of an urban farm in an underserved area.
March food theme: Herb-alicious: Dill, mint, basil, tarragon, and sage are some of many herbs that make our life a little more flavorful. At this meeting, we welcome foods to celebrate the many delicious ways to use herbs.
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 – March 17
When: March 17, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Fear of immigration crackdown slows sales on Lake Street
Some shop owners told reporters Tuesday that sales have dropped off sharply at many Lake Street businesses that serve Minneapolis' Latino communities.
Why it matters: They believe the Trump administration's campaign against illegal immigration is sowing fear among Minnesota's immigrants — and hitting the businesses that both employ and cater to them.
What they're saying: "People are afraid to come out, thinking that immigration [agents] might catch them," Colonial Market owner Daniel Hernandez said Tuesday.
Zoom in: Hernandez said sales at his grocery store have dipped by "at least" 50% over the last month — or about $100,000.
To read the full article visit Axios
Protect our pollinators - don't rake your leaves
Pollinators nest in the broken stems of plants and overwinter in leaf piles. To protect our pollinators, please do not rake any leaves or clean up your yard until temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees. Yard waste collection will begin the week of April 7.
For more information visit City of Minneapolis
From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report
ReFED recently released a new annual publication, From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report, featuring the latest data on the progress, trends, and remaining challenges in reducing food loss and waste in the United States. This is a go-to resource for all food system actors to inform and drive action to reduce surplus food across the supply chain.
The central message is that while we have seen significant momentum in preventing and reducing food from going to waste—and the foundation for progress has been laid—waste remains stubbornly high. After a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, quantities of surplus food rebounded in 2023 to an alarming 73.9 million tons or 31% of the food supply at a value of $382 billion. Each year, surplus food costs producers and food businesses $108 billion in lost revenue, while consumers spend nearly $800 per person on uneaten groceries and restaurant plate waste.
For more information visit ReFED
Northeast Farmers Market – March 9
There's a lot happening this month: Drag Queen Story Hour, cooking demonstration, Girl Scouts cookie sales, and media swap!
When: March 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 1325 Quincy Street NE
For more information visit the Northeast Farmers Market website
Cottage Foods Tier 1 Training – March 13
This two-hour training will cover the legal requirements, food safety issues, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) completion training, test, and how to submit your application. It includes all the resources in the Cottage Foods Academy, including the Master List of foods eligible under the cottage foods exemption from licensing.
When: March 13, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual
For more information about this event visit Minnesota Farmers Market Association (MFMA)
2025 Rules Refresher for Markets and Vendors – March 15
Hop on a Rules Refresher Zoom and learn the old and new rules and regulations. When registering, add any specific questions you want answered in the registration form.
When: March 15, 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: Virtual
For more information visit Minnesota Farmers Market Association
Free Community Salad Bar – March 16
Natural Me Apothecary in partnership with Metro Food Justice Network (MFJN) and other partners will host a free monthly salad bar for the community! This initiative is supported in part by MFJN and will support community members who face food insecurity and offer resources and knowledge about healthy eating and growing food.
MFJN hopes this free monthly salad bar will help improve access to healthy food and increase awareness of where to find healthy food in North Minneapolis. Attendees will be served a build-your-own salad filled with locally grown produce, as well as non-local produce.
When: March 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 707 42nd Ave. N.
To register for this event visit the registration page
Environmental Justice Summit – April 4
This inspiring event is an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and contribute to shaping a sustainable future.
When: April 4, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota campus
To register for this event visit the registration page
Deadline extended: Applications to receive funding to upgrade refrigeration systems in retail settings and for food assistance programs – deadline March 24
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking proposals for projects that aim to reduce emissions of high global warming potential (HGWP) refrigerants in retail settings and food assistance programs across Minnesota. Upgrading to newer, more environmentally friendly systems can help greatly reduce harmful emissions.
For more information visit MPCA
The Minneapolis City Trees Lottery is back – deadline March 14
Minneapolis property owners can now enter the City Trees Lottery through March 14. Don’t be left out of the shade by missing the chance to purchase up to three low-cost trees at just $30 each.
For more information visit the City of Minneapolis tree lottery website
Enroll in a Sustainable Food Systems graduate program at Arizona State University – deadline April 1
These graduate programs are built for rising stars from business, nonprofit, academia and government modeling the community necessary for food systems transformation. Designed for working professionals, most coursework takes place online to accommodate students’ various schedules and geographies. Program graduates will be equipped with sophisticated knowledge of how to advance food and agriculture policy in the public interest.
For more information visit Arizona State University
Grants available for innovative waste reduction projects – deadline April 10
Grants of $5,000 - $25,000 are available to support your community-led projects that reduce or divert materials from the waste stream. This program is part of the City’s Climate Legacy Initiative. Any organization that serves Minneapolis residents is encouraged to submit a proposal for an Innovative Waste Reduction project.
The project must increase diversion of materials from the waste stream. Proposals can be for short-term projects or to expand existing projects. Funding is not intended for future planning or research projects. All projects must include an educational component.
Projects are to be completed in the 2025 calendar year. Learn more about the City’s Innovative Waste Reduction grants, including eligible projects and grant details through the City’s eSupplier portal.
Grant opportunity from The Market Entry Fund – deadline April 28
The Market Entry Fund Micro-Grant Program supports food and beverage businesses in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry. The Micro-Grants Program's objective is to bolster the financial capability of emerging businesses that are owned by underrepresented entrepreneurs in Minnesota who demonstrate systemic barriers to equitable participation in this sector. An estimated 10-15 businesses will be selected to receive micro-grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 per grant.
For more information visit Market Entry Fund
Lawns to Legumes – deadline May 15
The Lawns to Legumes program offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides and cost-share funding (individual support grants) for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential lawns. The program also includes Pollinator Pathways grants, which are pollinator programs run by local governments, nonprofit organizations with support from Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR), and a public education campaign to raise awareness about creating pollinator habitats.
For more information visit the Board of Water and Soil Resources
TCTAC supporting grantmaking program applicants with drop-in hours
The Great Lakes Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) will host bi-weekly drop-in hours for applicants interested in applying to the Great Lakes Thriving Communities Grantmaking (TCGM) Program. In response to high levels of interest in the TCGM program, the Great Lakes TCTAC drop-in hours will focus on:
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Project eligibility
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What tier your project fits into
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Questions about the TCGM intake or grant application form
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Other general questions
Youth Training and Opportunities Program: Appetite for Change – deadline April 14
Registration is open for 30 new youth to join the paid Youth Training and Opportunities Program (YTOP)! Those selected will engage in hands-on workshops and activities to help them grow personally and professionally. This program is designed to enhance culinary and gardening skills, teach essential leadership techniques to provide a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth.
For more information visit the interest form and registration page
Food Policy Pathways aims to equip future public servants with the necessary tools, knowledge, and networks to enter impactful government roles and drive forward meaningful, evidence-based food policies nationwide. They are building a robust pipeline of policy leaders ready for this task.
For more information on becoming a mentor visit Food Policy Pathways
Multiple opportunities: Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA)
The Food Hub Driver will be responsible for delivering produce to wholesale customers and to CSA drop sites in the metro area Monday – Friday. HAFA leases a 16-foot refrigerated box truck that will be used for deliveries. The Food Hub delivery driver is expected to load the truck, deliver produce in an efficient manner, and maintain the cleanliness of the truck cab and box.
The Packing Assistant will report to the HAFA Food Hub Director and work on the HAFA Farm, a 155-acre incubator and research vegetable farm located in Vermillion Township, Minnesota. The position requires a minimum of 32 hours per week but may require longer hours and work on the weekend.
For more information visit Hmong American Farmers Association
Grower Training Specialist: The Food Group
The Grower Training Specialist is based at the farm in Marine on St. Croix. This position provides training and support to beginning farmers enrolled in the Big River Farms land-based program. The Grower Training Program provides education, land access, and market opportunities for over 20 farm teams year-round, primarily farmers of color, New American farmers, and others who face discrimination in farming. The Grower Training Specialist primarily focuses on classroom and in-field training of a cohort of new farmers entering the program
Farmers Market Staff: Mill City Farmers Market
Mill City Farmers Market is hiring part time Farmers Market Staff for our summer market season (May-October). Application review begins March 7, and will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Please send your resume or list of relevant experience, and a short letter of interest about the position to Sarah at sarah@millcityfarmersmarket.org. Reach out if you have any questions.
For more information visit Mill City Farmers Market
Internship: Minnesota Farmers Union
The Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) Internship Program offers a chance to work on exciting projects to support family farmers and strengthen local communities. Apply today to join the team and start the journey with MFU.
Harvested with Heart: How Native Wise honors and shares Minnesota's wild rice traditions
Wild rice is more than just a delicious grain for many Minnesotans. For harvesters like David Wise of Native Wise, it’s a way of life. Having lived most of his life on the Fond du Lac Reservation where wild rice plants grow in abundance, it is an essential link to his heritage, community, and the natural world.
As a Minnesota Grown member, David is passionate about introducing this delicious grain to everyone and passing on the knowledge and traditions that make it so special.
Homegrown News
We send information on food systems topics of interest to residents, employees, advocates, and eaters in Minneapolis. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, sign up to receive your own copy!
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