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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.
June 2025
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Boulevard gardening
Interested in gardening in the boulevard (the green space between the street and the sidewalk)? It is now easier than ever to grow edible plants in the boulevard! A new webpage from Public Works describes the rules for designing your boulevard garden.
In early March City ordinance was amended to allow food, raised beds, and shrubs, as well as other things in the boulevard without a permit. These changes empower residents to beautify their neighborhoods and connect with neighbors while growing food.
Stay tuned for additional tips, reminders, and resources for gardening in the boulevard coming to the Homegrown website later this summer.
View the boulevard gardening rules webpage
Welcome Summer Badawi
We want to welcome Summer Badawi to the Homegrown Minneapolis team. Summer (she/her) is Homegrown's new Wasted Food Prevention Coordinator. She comes to us with over a decade of food systems experience, including work to prevent wasted food. We’re excited to add her skills to the team!
Summer will primarily work on Minneapolis’ new USDA Compost and Food Waste Reduction grant. The funding will help us launch a new two-year project to deepen our work with restaurants. Participating restaurants will receive a variety of benefits, including training, coaching, and access to resources to make changes.
 Photo of Summer Badawi
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 where attendees are welcome to bring food to share with others.
When: In-person meeting on Wednesday, June 11 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S.
What we'll be doing: At this meeting, former food council members will share stories about the history of the food council, its impact on community, and lessons learned. Then, we will recap the progress of the food council during the current term, January 2024 to June 2025. Finally, we will discuss and share reflections and advice for our next year of work together.
Food Theme: Picnic Foods – At this meeting, we welcome any foods that you would pack in your picnic basket to enjoy on a sunny day in the park. Ants are not welcome at this meeting.
View meeting agenda
Homegrown Minneapolis hosts action teams to 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 – June 16
When: Monday, June 16, 2 – 3 p.m.
What: We will discuss how to utilize past work to flesh out the food skills inventory project.
Wasted Food Action Team – June 16
When: Monday, June 16, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
What: We will continue planning for a fall event (or series) for restaurants.
Urban Agriculture Action Team – June 17
When: Tuesday, June 17, 6 – 7 p.m.
What: We will work together to define the objective and audience of the urban agriculture resource hub project.
 Photo of temperature-controlled food lockers outside Community Emergency Service
Introducing outdoor food lockers for easier food access in Minneapolis
Minneapolis City Council passed a zoning ordinance amendment that allows outdoor temperature-controlled food lockers to be placed outside food shelves and community facilities. This ordinance is about removing unnecessary barriers and expanding access to food for those who need it most—when they need it most. This effort began last year when Community Emergency Service (CES), a trusted food shelf serving many Ward 6 neighbors, approached Council Member Osman.
To read the ordinance visit LIMS
City of Minneapolis breaks ground on biochar facility
The City of Minneapolis broke ground on the first city-owned and operated biochar facility in North America on April 30.
The facility will be located at 670 25th Ave. SE and have the capacity to annually:
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Process over 3,000 tons of wood waste
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Produce over 500 tons of biochar
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Remove nearly 3,700 tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of taking over 789 cars off the road
The Biochar Program is one of the many ways we are reducing our impacts on climate change and increasing climate resilience. Biochar production is scheduled to begin in the fall.
To learn more visit YouTube
Sean Sherman expands his vision for decolonizing the US food system
The Sioux chef, known for celebrating and restoring pre-colonial foodways, launches two new Indigenous food ventures and publishes his second book.
For more information visit Civil Eats
Governor Walz signs agriculture omnibus bill into law
Governor Walz signed Chapter 34, House File 2446, the Agriculture and Broadband Development Policy and Finance Bill, into law on May 23. The bill funds the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Minnesota Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute.
Food safety and postharvest handling for urban and community farmers – June 9
Join University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension for an in-depth training on food safety and postharvest handling for urban and community gardens. The course is taught by UMN Extension and experienced farmer trainers and it will include interactive activities and examples of best practices.
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When: Monday, June 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Where: UMN Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N.
For more information visit UMN Extension
Celebrating Our Roots cooking class with Kelly Shay – June 14
Do you want to learn how to cook something delicious, easy, affordable and nutritious that utilizes ingredients you can grow in your own garden? Join Minneapolis Edible Boulevards on June 14 with Kelly Shay for their first free cooking class of 2025! Kelly will teach how to make Savory Collard Greens & Mushrooms over Polenta.
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When: Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m.
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Where: 3500 Humboldt Ave. N.
For more information visit Facebook
Shaping the future of food: Happy hour and 2025 update – June 16
Join Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP) staff and board members for an opportunity to connect and hear about what is going on in their work to build fair and sustainable food systems.
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When: Monday, June 16, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
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Where: Centro NE, 1414 Quincy St. NE
For more information visit IATP
Jim Embry’s Joy & Justice Journey in June Tour – June 19 through June 23
Join BF50 indigenous Health Initiative and other Food, Farming, Forestry & Finance Friends for a 5-day exploration with Jim Embry. The five days will feature an exploration of diversity, urban farming, Juneteenth events, moderated panel discussions, canoeing, and more!
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When: June 19 through June 23, various events
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Where: Various Twin Cities locations
For more information visit BF50 Indigenous Health
Urban beekeeping with the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network – June 24
Learn the ins and outs of urban beekeeping from professionals with the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network! Beekeeper Kristy Allen (Beez Kneez) will give a tour of her two working hives at The Bakken. Katie Lee (UMN Extension; SARE) will teach about honeybee biology and the valuable role these pollinators can play as an integrated part of your farm or garden. Advance registration is required.
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When: Tuesday, June 24, 4 – 6 p.m.
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Where: The Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Ave. S.
Hennepin County Wasted Food Prevention Plan released
Hennepin County aims to cut the amount of edible food discarded in half and provides a roadmap to reach this target. The plan includes 44 strategies that will have an impact on reducing wasted food overall in residential, commercial, schools, and food rescue sectors.
For more information visit Hennepin County
Minnesota Small Farm Survey
Minnesota small farmers, foragers, and gardeners – the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension wants to hear from you! This short survey is designed to assess current challenges, interests, and educational needs in row and horticultural crops, livestock production, gardening, and non-timber harvesting.
Your input is valuable in helping them shape future Extension programming and better serve local agricultural and natural resource communities.
For more information visit UMN Extension
Shipt Community Impact Grants – deadline June 13
Shipt is now accepting applications for their Community Impact & Innovation Grant program, supporting nonprofits working to ensure that all people, regardless of zip code, have access to fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. They are investing in two high-impact program models: teaching farms and mobile markets.
For more information visit Shipt
Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) – deadline June 27
The USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) application period is open! FMPP offers four different project types, ranging from 24 to 36 months.
The floor for FMPP awards is $50,000, with a ceiling of $500,000 (depending upon project type). An important note: there is a cost share/match requirement of 25% cash or in-kind contribution.
For more information visit USDA
Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) – deadline June 27
LFPP offers four different project types, ranging from 24 to 36 months. Eligible entities may apply if they support local and regional food business enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. The floor for LFPP awards is $25,000, with a ceiling of $500,000 (depending upon project type).
Program Manager: FARMpreneurs – deadline June 8
FARMpreneuers seeks a Program Manager to plan and implement program logistics to support their farmers. This role requires the ability to manage multiple programs at one time. Responsibilities will include planning and delivering Strategic Sprints, managing alumni engagement and mentorship opportunities, and taking and distilling complex ideas into actionable plans, processes, calendars, and budgets.
For more information visit Google Docs
Graduate Fellow – Food Waste Prevention: Hennepin County – deadline June 9
Hennepin County's Environment and Energy department is seeking to hire a graduate fellow to work on several food waste prevention projects. The fellow will support both the county’s Zero Waste and Climate Action plans through preventing wasted food at home, in schools and at food shelves.
Food Reclamation Coordinator: The Food Group MN
The Food Group (TFG) is now hiring for two part-time seasonal Food Reclamation Coordinators. This position is primarily responsible for leading volunteers during food reclamation projects at local farms, including TFG’s incubator farm, Big River Farms, and the Minneapolis Farmers Market.
Registered Dietician: Open Arms of MN – rolling deadline
Open Arms is hiring a registered dietitian to provide nutrition counseling and education to their clients living with life-threatening illnesses. This full-time, salaried position works closely with the nutrition and client services departments and contributes to the fulfillment of Open Arms’ mission by providing evidence-based nutrition information and medical nutrition therapy to clients with varying health needs.
For more information visit Open Arms
Volunteer: Twin Cities Food Justice
Twin Cities Food Justice volunteers pick up unsold produce at farmers markets throughout Minneapolis, including Kingfield, Minneapolis on Lyndale, Northeast, Southwest, and Midtown and deliver it directly to food shelves and community kitchens.
Want more good news? So do we! Send us the good news you see across the food system and we’ll share it here!
Winners announced for 2025 Cream of the Crop Awards
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop Awards for Farm to School and Early Care.
This year’s winners have earned the title of Cream of the Crop in their respective categories:
Op-Ed: The world’s desert farmers and chefs can guide the U.S. into a braised new world
During the summer of 2024, more than two-fifths of the continental United States faced summer temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit, along with more severe droughts. It is time to radically redirect our food system to better adapt to a hotter, drier world, what some of us now call Planet Desert.
Homegrown News
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Public Health Matters
Stay informed with important public health news and insights from the Minneapolis Health Department.
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