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We expand our community's capacity to grow and share food. |
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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. |
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Federal shutdown impacts to SNAP benefits
The federal government has been shut down for 36 days with no resolution in sight. To date, no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been issued in November due to the federal shutdown.
More than 60,000 of our Minneapolis community members, 14% of our city’s residents, are affected by the lack of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
While two federal judges ruled last Friday that the Trump administration must use contingency funds to continue some SNAP payments during the shutdown, it’s still unclear when those funds will reach families in full.
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families is monitoring this situation and providing information to counties and tribal nations, which administer SNAP benefits in Minnesota. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, USDA issued guidance on how to calculate partial benefits using the contingency funds. It is complicated and will likely result in significant delays to people receiving their benefits.
Minneapolis is taking action to keep families fed
As the federal government shutdown delays and disrupts critical food assistance, on Monday Mayor Jacob Frey announced that the City of Minneapolis will allocate $150,000 to six local nonprofit partners that provide free, healthy food to neighbors. The funding, directed from the Minneapolis Health Department’s Homegrown Minneapolis program, will go out this week to help food shelves restock and meet rising demand as residents face continued uncertainty around federal food benefits.
How to help support our community
Consider donating your dollars or time to a nearby food shelf to support neighbors. Locally, Minneapolis food shelves buy foods that meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. Cash donations have the greatest impact because they allow local food shelves to:
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Access wholesale and discounted prices so they can stretch your dollar
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Make purchases based on inventory and cultural needs
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Purchase fresh foods such as produce, eggs, meat and milk
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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 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, Nov. 12 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S.
Agenda: At this meeting there will be a facilitated consensus workshop around the question of what success looks like for the food council.
Food theme: Celebrate the bounty of fall with pumpkins and apples! As the temperature drops, the local foods available to us change. At this meeting, we welcome all things pumpkin, apples, or other cozy foods that warm your spirit on a brisk fall day.
Action teams
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:
Wasted Food Action Team – Dec. 8
When: Monday Dec. 8, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
What: Recap on the year and discuss opportunities for 2026
Food Skills Action Team – TBD
What: Discuss updates to existing inventory and outreach approach
Urban Agriculture Action Team – Nov. 18
When: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
What: Stakeholder engagement check-in and discussion of next steps for outreach.
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Zoom Cook Along with Minneapolis Edible Boulevards – Nov. 8
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When: Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Where: Virtual
Biochar Demonstration with Great River Greening – Nov. 14
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When: Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Where: Dream of Wild Health Farm, 16085 Jeffrey Ave N, Hugo, MN
Soil Health Bus Tour: Scaling up soil health strategies with UMN Extension – Nov. 14
Visit three farms near Northfield, MN to explore soil health at a larger scale. Learn about mechanized cover cropping, reduced tillage, erosion control, and using perennials and pollinator strips. Stops include: Spring Wind Farm, Little Hill Berry Farm, Open Hands Farm.
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When: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Where: Various
Fall Dinner Connecting & Cultivating Community with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board – Nov. 20
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When: Nov. 20, 5 – 7 p.m.
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Where: Philips Park, 2323 11th Ave S
For more information visit Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board
Winter farmers markets begin
Winter market season begins this month in four locations around the city. While the cooler weather is setting in, many favorite local vendors can still be found at winter farmers markets!
Winter farmers markets offer delicious ingredients including local produce, meats, and baked goods. You can also find gifts and other handmade goods such as soap, jewelry, and pottery. Shop at the winter farmers markets to not only pick up grocery staples and artisan goods but also to provide critical support to local producers and makers.
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When: Various weekends Nov. – April
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Where: Four indoor locations across Minneapolis
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Sharing Our Roots: Farmer Cohort Coordinator
Food Connect Group: Midwest Regional Program Manager
Minnesota Farmer’s Union: Paid Internship
Greater MSP: Director, Agricultural Resiliency
Second Harvest Heartland: FOODRx Manager
Twin Cities Co-op Partners: Multiple positions
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Mortenson Family Foundation – deadline Nov. 21
Mortenson Family Foundation’s Sustaining Environmental Systems 2026 grant is accepting proposals. The Mortenson Family Foundation may make multi-year grants as an additional way to support partner organizations with two- or three-year grant commitments that are capped at 33% of the following year’s projected grantmaking budget.
AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant – deadline Dec. 17
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant. These grants support on-farm research and demonstrations that help farmers improve profitability and use resources more efficiently.
Projects must take place on Minnesota farms, and grantees are required to share their results with others through final reports published in the MDA’s annual Greenbook. The Greenbook highlights creative, farmer-led projects and provides practical technical information, including management tips and personal observations from participants.
The MDA anticipates awarding up to $350,000 through this program, Applicants may request up to $50,000 per project. The first $25,000 does not need to be matched. For requests between $25,000 and $50,000, applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match on the amount above $25,000.
Officials launch state’s first Drinking Water Action Plan
Well-known threats such as arsenic, nitrate and lead now compete with newer threats such as PFAS and a dwindling workforce for the attention and resources of those charged with protecting Minnesota’s drinking water. Fortunately, the state now has its first-ever Drinking Water Action Plan, which outlines strategies for protecting drinking water from source to tap over the next 10 years. Officials celebrated the launch of the plan at the New Brighton Water Treatment Plant.
At the recommendation of the Clean Water Council, the State Legislature in 2023 directed the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), which is responsible for enforcing the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in Minnesota, to lead the development of this plan. In doing so, MDH enlisted the help of numerous partners and gathered input through community meetings, surveys and focus group discussions.
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Launching the Climate Equity Tracker!
We're excited to introduce the new Minneapolis Climate Equity Tracker, your go-to resource to stay informed and engaged with regular updates on the Climate Equity Plan. This is a major step forward in our journey to track progress towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
The 2023 Climate Equity Plan outlines our climate and equity goals. This new online reporting platform brings clarity and connection to our climate work. It shows how we’re turning goals into action across Minneapolis to make sure community members and businesses benefit from this work.
Just like the Climate Equity Plan, the platform focuses on 10 key areas, from energy systems and green careers to healthy homes, transportation, and green spaces. You can explore 40-plus strategy pages to learn more about the progress being made within each key area.
This is just the beginning. The Climate Equity Tracker will continue to grow and add new features and updates. It will roll out as part of an ongoing launch and will show how climate investments are making a real difference in our community.
Four Sisters Food Sovereignty call for maples
Four Sisters Food Sovereignty Program is looking for more maple trees to tap next spring! If you live in the Phillips neighborhood and have a maple tree in your yard, we invite you to participate next year.
University of Minnesota achieves first-ever zero waste event at Farm Aid 40
For the first time, the University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium achieved zero waste–recovering an incredible 90% of waste (46,000 pounds) generated during the Farm Aid 40 concert. This milestone represents years of collaboration, innovation, and determination to make large-scale events more sustainable. It’s also a glimpse into the University’s commitment to reimagining what’s possible when it comes to waste reduction and circular systems. During Farm Aid 40, fans participated in the stadium’s new three-stream waste collection system–compost, recycling, and a small trash option, giving them clear tools to make sustainable choices. These simple systems make a major difference. By sorting correctly, fans helped divert tens of thousands of pounds of compostable and recyclable materials away from the landfill. The result: A 90% diversion rate and the University’s first-ever Zero Waste event.
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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!
Public Health Matters
Stay informed with important public health news and insights from the Minneapolis Health Department.
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Homegrown Minneapolis brings together key partners from local government, area businesses, community organizations, non-profits, and residents to build a healthy, local food system.
Please contact Homegrown if you would like to suggest an item for the monthly Homegrown Newsletter.
For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 311 at 612-673-3000. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311.
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