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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.
July 2025
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Homegrown at the ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
The Homegrown team is busy working with partners to build a new program to help Minneapolis restaurants prevent wasted food. With support from our new USDA Compost and Food Waste Reduction grant, two Homegrown staff members and partners from Healthy Roots Institute and North Star Sustainability recently attended the ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit in Seattle. We learned a lot and made some very helpful connections with other cities across the country who are doing similar work. The planning team is excited to implement wasted food prevention programs in Minneapolis this year thanks to the incredible resources and information shared with us and our partners!
To see recordings of the mainstage and breakout sessions visit the ReFED Summit website
To view our existing resources to support restaurants to prevent wasted food see the City’s website
To learn more about preventing waste food at home visit the City's website
Learn about the Stop Food Waste Challenge for residents in the Grants and resources section
 Homegrown staff Alison Babb and Summer Badawi with partners Hannah Jenkins and Lachelle Cunningham at the ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
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, July 9 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S.
What we'll be doing: This is the first meeting of the new term. We will elect the vice chair as well as second, third, and fourth vice chairs. In addition, we will adopt the bylaws and rules and set the meeting calendar. Following the administrative business, we will have the opportunity to learn what Homegrown does and what each action team is up to.
Food Theme: Chill out – When summer hits its peak, a refreshing snack really hits the spot. You’re invited to bring something that helps you chill out when the sun shines. Think fruit salad, caprese, chia seed pudding, tabouleh, or deviled eggs.
View meeting agenda
View past Food Council meeting agenda and minutes
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 – July 14
Urban Agriculture Action Team – July 15
When: Tuesday, July 15, 6 – 7 p.m.
What: We will work together to refine the project purpose statement and plan next steps on stakeholder engagement.
Homegrown Minneapolis works to reduce food waste
Each year, Minneapolis community members and businesses throw away nearly 128,000 tons of food. The City of Minneapolis is committed to reducing wasted food. We talked to Nick Koreen, Senior Environmental Health Specialist and Alison Babb, Manager, Homegrown Minneapolis, to find out more about Minneapolis’ goals and their programs and resources on reducing food waste.
Help The Black Radish Urban Farm grow!
The Black Radish Urban Farm, in partnership with The Sanneh Foundation, is one of the 2025 Homegrown Community Projects. They provide local, sustainable, healthy, and culturally appropriate produce at The Sanneh Foundation’s Minneapolis food distribution.
The Black Radish has a rare and urgent opportunity to purchase a vacant lot just two blocks from their home base in the Standish-Ericsson neighborhood of Minneapolis. Thankfully, the current landowners want The Black Radish to purchase the land and are holding the land until August 1st. If they’re successful, they’ll be able to double their production capacity—which means more healthy food for neighbors, more support for local food systems, and a big leap forward in their long-term sustainability.
The Food Group 2025 legislative recap
The Food Group is committed to creating food for today and change for tomorrow. They work toward a stronger food system for tomorrow by advocating for sound public policy, building grassroots advocacy, and informing and educating the community on hunger in Minnesota. As the 2025 Minnesota legislative session wrapped up recently, here's a recap of some critical wins in the fight to end hunger in Minnesota.
Free North Minneapolis Community Cooks workshops
Participants join preparation, mixing, cooking, and plating stations where they learn culinary skills, explore nutrition and ingredients, and connect with people in their community. When the food’s done, Appetite for Change (AFC) hosts a guided conversation on making change at home and in their community. Aside from eating together, take-home bag food is offered. Join twice a month on Wednesday nights.
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When: Wednesday, July 9, July 23, August 6 (and more!), 5 – 7 p.m.
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Where: Salem Lutheran Church, 4150 Dupont Ave N
For more information visit Appetite for Change
Storytelling Through Food is Medicine cooking workshop
The Cross-Campus Food Access Coalition (CFAC) is excited to host a hands-on cooking workshop with local chefs Lachelle Cunningham and Jenny Breen. Join us for an evening of cooking, storytelling, and community engagement. All ingredients and tools necessary to prepare the dish will be provided. The menu will feature in-season local produce. Register soon!
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When: Thursday, July 10, 4 – 6 p.m.
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Where: CityFoodStudio, 3722 Chicago Ave S
For more information visit the Google Form
Celebrating Our Roots cooking class
Minneapolis Edible Boulevards is welcoming Ismael Popoca Aguilar to be the cooking class instructor for July. Ismael will be teaching us how to make a Summer Garden Stack. Think delicious grilled (or cooked) veggies from your garden and yummy tortillas. Attending in person? Bring a chair or blanket, sunscreen, and full water bottle. You can also attend on Zoom. Whether attending in-person or on Zoom, please register.
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When: Saturday, July 12, 11 a.m.
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Where: Heartspace Garden, 2616 18th Ave S
For more information visit Zoom
Bikes and Botany
Gather on the library patio for a free bike tune-up clinic with Full Cycle, then visit with Plant-Grow-Share staff and receive fresh produce grown right in the neighborhood. No registration required. Collaborators: Plant-Grow-Share (Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization), Full Cycle.
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When: Saturday, July 12, 2 – 4 p.m.
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Where: Sumner Library, 347 36th St E
For more information visit Hennepin County Libraries
Summer free produce distributions: East Side Neighborhood Services
Join us for free fruits and vegetables this summer. East Side Neighborhood Services will host monthly produce distributions at Luxton Park in Southeast Minneapolis and at its main campus in Northeast Minneapolis. Please bring your own bags if possible. Email celizondo@esns.org with any questions.
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When: Wednesday, July 16, 3 – 5 p.m. and Tuesday July 22, noon – 2 p.m.
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Where: July 16 – Luxton Park Recreation Center, 112 Williams Ave SE; July 22 – East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St NE
For more information visit East Side Neighborhood Services on Facebook
Green Minds: Microgreens!
Dig into the world of microgreens in this hands-on activity designed for adults who want to explore sustainable and nutritious gardening practices. Microgreens are tiny, flavorful plants packed with nutrients, and they’re easy to grow right in your own home! Collaborator: The Loppet Foundation. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.
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When: Wednesday, July 23, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Where: North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave N
For more information visit Hennepin County Libraries
Seed sorting party
Help sort and label donated seeds for the Nokomis Community Seed Library! A seed library is a collection of community-donated seeds that can be borrowed from the library and planted at home. Volunteer while learning more about seed saving and gardening. Collaborator: Seed Sages.
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When: Wednesday, August 6, 1 – 2 p.m.
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Where: Nokomis Library, 5100 34th Ave S
Coming soon: Minneapolis Health Department's 2025 Urban Farm and Garden Community Ownership Program RFP
Homegrown Minneapolis will soon release the 2025 Urban Farm and Garden Community Ownership Program RFP. The Program will support a local community-focused organization(s)/individual(s) in long-term access to land to sustainably grow food in the city of Minneapolis. As part of the proposal, applicants will propose a lot to be purchased and put into trust for long-term urban agricultural use. The Program may also provide funding to pay for infrastructure, tools, and supplies to grow food on lots selected for purchase.
Fill out the interest form to receive updates about the RFP
Minneapolis Health Department to release master contract RFP
The Minneapolis Health Department will release a request for proposals in late summer/early fall to create an eligible providers list for master contracts. Master contracts simplify and speed up the contracting process for agencies that have one. A wide range of vendors are encouraged to apply. Eligible service categories include:
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Preventative services
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Chronic disease
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Behavioral health
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Climate/environment
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Injury prevention
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Operations and infrastructure
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Public health workforce development
For more information visit the Minneapolis Health Department
Create meals, not waste: Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge – Starts 8/1/25
Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge August 1-31 to learn better strategies for buying food you’ll eat and eating the food you buy. The Challenge will help you notice when you’re wasting food, commit to actions that will have the greatest impact, and provide support and motivation along the way.
Nutrition Services Coordinator: Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center is hiring a nutrition services coordinator. This position will prepare and serve breakfast and lunch for students and perform related administrative tasks.
For more information visit Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
Director of Volunteer Program and Engagement: Open Arms of MN
This full-time salaried position will both the day-to-day operations and strategic development of Open Arms’ exceptional Volunteer Program. The Director of Volunteer Program and Engagement will manage and oversee a unique, highly relational and operations-critical volunteer program. The person in this role will also lead strategic initiatives to expand and enhance volunteer engagement, community partnerships, and the program’s alignment with organizational needs.
For more information visit Open Arms
Facilities Manager: Hmong American Farmers Association
Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA) is hiring a Facilities Manager to support the alternative markets program, also known as the HAFA FOOD HUB, and build the capacity and inter-generational wealth of Hmong farmers to produce high-quality, abundant, fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables. The ideal candidate should have experience managing community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, or produce wholesale programs, and possess considerable knowledge about vegetable farming and food safety. Fluency in Hmong and direct farming experience are desirable.
For more information visit HAFA
Board member: Twin Cities Agricultural Land Trust
Twin Cities Agricultural Land Trust (TCALT) is looking for two new board members to join starting in September 2025. If you’re passionate about land justice, food sovereignty, or urban agriculture in the Twin Cities, they’d love to hear from you!
For more information visit the Google application form
Urban Agriculture Program Facilitator: Appetite for Change
The Urban Agriculture Program Facilitator works predominantly in AFC’s urban farms, assisting the Program Manager with a variety of farm-related tasks, helping lead youth interns on farm sites, aiding in non-production and infrastructure activities, and collaborating with other staff to ensure effective implementation of programs. Full time. $18 - $21 Per hour – DOQ. Send resume and cover letter to jobs@afcmn.org
For more information visit Appetite for Change
Community Cooks Program Facilitator: Appetite for Change
The Program Facilitator works in the Community Cooks Workshops and Community Cooks Meal Box programs. The facilitator’s duties include planning for, assisting with, and leading both in-house and contracted workshops, as well as planning and facilitating meal box delivery. Full time. $18 - $21 Per hour – DOQ. Send resume and cover letter to jobs@afcmn.org
Want more good news? So do we! Send us the good news you see across the food system and we’ll share it here!
Awardees announced for the Farmers Market Nutrition Assistance Grant Program
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded funding to twenty-nine farmers’ markets across the state through its Farmers’ Market Nutrition Assistance Grant Program. The one-time state funding will help participating markets strengthen and expand nutrition assistance efforts during the 2025 season. Special congratulations to the Minneapolis-based grantees:
In New Orleans, ‘Solitary Gardens’ Aims to Transform Thinking About Prisons
Artist and activist jackie sumell’s nonprofit, Freedom to Grow, takes a plant-powered approach to encourage radical change.
St. Charles Avenue, the regal boulevard at the center of New Orleans, is a beacon of wealth and comfort in a city where both are hard to come by. Antebellum mansions and stately oaks line the avenue, which winds through the pristine campuses of Loyola and Tulane universities. Here, in the historical center of the American slave trade, affluence is the norm, even as nearly one-quarter of the city lives in poverty.
On a block sandwiched between the college campuses, a 6-by-9-foot garden bed on the front lawn of the St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church challenges the neighborhood’s image.
The garden’s dimensions replicate those of a standard solitary confinement cell.
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