ABOUT THE MINNESOTA HUNGER INITIATIVE (MNHI)The Minnesota Hunger Initiative (formerly the Twin Cities Hunger Initiative), convened by Greater Twin Cities United Way, is an alliance of hunger relief agencies collaborating to end hunger in the region. Initiative partners include: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP); Family Pathways; The Food Group; Greater Twin Cities United Way; Hunger Solutions Minnesota; Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA); Keystone Community Services; Loaves and Fishes Too; Matter; Metro Meals on Wheels; Minnesota Department of Human Services/Office of Economic Opportunities; Minnesota FoodShare; Neighborhood House; NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center; Open Arms of Minnesota; Pillsbury United Communities; Second Harvest Heartland; University of Minnesota Extension Services; Valley Outreach; and Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP). MNHI also works with various businesses and nonprofits to address hunger.

To learn more about the Minnesota Hunger Initiative, visit mnhungerinitiative.org.

Sources used in this report: AARP; Hunger Solutions, Minnesota; Journal of Nutrition; Minnesota Department of Human Services; National Foundation to End Senior Hunger; Share Our Strength- No Kids No Hungry; Social Service Review; United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Assistance Services.

2014 COMMUNITY REPORT

MINNESOTAHUNGERINITIATIVE

In 2006, Greater Twin Cities United Way convened a representative group of agencies to work together on innovative solutions to address the problem of hunger in our communities. Much progress has been made collectively to create a more responsive emergency food system in the metro area including:• 50 percent increase in food distribution

• 81 percent increase in eligible households participating inthe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In 2015, the MNHI was rebranded and is strategically expanding statewide. A new website launched in the fourth quarter of 2015 to share learnings, tools and resources.

How is Minnesota doing as a state to relieve hunger?

What does child and senior hunger look like in Minnesota?

What are some promising practices that the community is engaged in to address hunger?

The intent of the Minnesota Hunger Initiative’s (MNHI) Community Report is to assess and reflect on the status of hunger in Minnesota by addressing the following questions:

THE VISION: ELIMINATE HUNGER IN MINNESOTA.

Facebook post from single mom

“ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR NOT JUST BEING ABLETO PHYSICALLY HELP OUR FOOD NEEDS, BUT FORNOT MAKING US FEEL BAD FOR ASKING FOR HELP. WHEN I WALKED OUT OF THE FOOD SHELF TODAY,I REALIZED THAT MY FAMILY HAS BEEN CHANGEDBY THE BAD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO BE REDUCED BY THEM. WHAT YOU DO IS CHANGING LIVES. THIS IS WHY FAMILY PATHWAYS’ FOOD SHELF EXISTS.”

— Family Pathways food shelf clients

HUNGER IN MINNESOTA

• In 2013, Minnesota was one of the top 5 states in thecountry with the lowest food insecurity rates for childrenunder the age of 18.

• Studies have found that food insecurity has been associatedwith health problems for children that may hinder theirability to function normally and participate fully in school.

• Since 2008, most summer and school nutrition programsincreased participation rates, with the exception ofWIC (10 percent decline) and School Lunch Program(2 percent decline). Overall, child nutrition programsremain underutilized.

• In 2040 there will be 79.7 million older adults, more than twice as manyas in 2000. The number of food insecure seniors is projected to increase by50 percent when the youngest of the Baby Boom generation reaches age 60in 2025.

• In Minnesota 1 in 12 seniors are at risk of hunger. More than 48,000 SNAP-eligible Minnesotans age 65+ are not taking advantage of the program.

• Minnesota food shelves experienced a 13 percent increase in visits amongseniors, since 2008.

• Families are faced with tough choices every day – decisionsbetween food or transportation, food or housing, food or medical care.

• According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), during2008-2014, food insecurity increased 20 percent among food-insecureMinnesota households.

• During 2008-2014, food shelf visits increased to nearly 50 percent andalmost half were made by children and seniors.

• Since 2008, participation rates of income-eligible Minnesota householdsin the SNAP have grown 23 percent.

ONLY 47%RECEIVE SCHOOL

BREAKFAST

RECENT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

CHILD HUNGER

OLDER ADULT HUNGER

1 OF 5FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FACES HUNGER OR FOOD INSECURITY

OF 277,000 LOW-INCOME MINNESOTA CHILDREN RECEIVING FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL LUNCH:

ONLY 15% RECEIVE THE SUMMER

FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

“ WHEN THE MEALS ON WHEELS COME, I EAT THEM BECAUSE I KNOW THEY’RE GOOD FOR ME. AS A RESULT, I’M FEELING BETTER AND GUESS WHAT? I’M NOT BACK AT THE HOSPITAL!”

– Norm, Metro Meals on Wheels recipient, Maple Grove

• Volunteer at a local food shelf, meal program or food bank.

• Provide cash or highly desired healthy food items at a food shelf.

• Learn how to be engaged in the Minnesota Hunger Initiative atMnHungerInitiative.org.

In partnership with Solutran, Medica and the Minnesota Hunger Initiative, The Healthy Savings Card is being offered to low-income food shelf clients. Households may use the card weekly to redeem $10 worth of fresh produce and healthy food discounts.

Source: MnHungerInitiative.org

In partnership with the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Hunger Initiative recently conducted an 18-month research study with 150 food shelves in Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Half of the food shelves received monthly nutritional assessment reports using the HEI on the food ordered at food banks. Findings showed that the nutritional quality of the food ordered at food banks improved for food shelves that were informed of the nutritional value of food orders. The HEI however, was not found to be user-friendly at food shelves, Funding is being secured to develop a user-friendly tool for Minnesota food shelves to assess the nutritional value of their full inventory.

Source: MnHungerInitiative.org

Minnesota Hunger Initiative is developing a tool kit of promising practices as a resource for Minnesota food shelves to increase accessibility for older adults.

Source: MnHungerInitiative.org

HEALTHY SAVINGS CARD

NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF FOOD SHELVES

OLDER ADULT TOOLKIT

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

HUNGER IN MINNESOTA

• In 2013, Minnesota was one of the top 5 states in thecountry with the lowest food insecurity rates for childrenunder the age of 18.

• Studies have found that food insecurity has been associatedwith health problems for children that may hinder theirability to function normally and participate fully in school.

• Since 2008, most summer and school nutrition programsincreased participation rates, with the exception ofWIC (10 percent decline) and School Lunch Program(2 percent decline). Overall, child nutrition programsremain underutilized.

• In 2040 there will be 79.7 million older adults, more than twice as manyas in 2000. The number of food insecure seniors is projected to increase by50 percent when the youngest of the Baby Boom generation reaches age 60in 2025.

• In Minnesota 1 in 12 seniors are at risk of hunger. More than 48,000 SNAP-eligible Minnesotans age 65+ are not taking advantage of the program.

• Minnesota food shelves experienced a 13 percent increase in visits amongseniors, since 2008.

• Families are faced with tough choices every day – decisionsbetween food or transportation, food or housing, food or medical care.

• According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), during2008-2014, food insecurity increased 20 percent among food-insecureMinnesota households.

• During 2008-2014, food shelf visits increased to nearly 50 percent andalmost half were made by children and seniors.

• Since 2008, participation rates of income-eligible Minnesota householdsin the SNAP have grown 23 percent.

ONLY 47%RECEIVE SCHOOL

BREAKFAST

RECENT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

CHILD HUNGER

OLDER ADULT HUNGER

1 OF 5FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FACES HUNGER OR FOOD INSECURITY

OF 277,000 LOW-INCOME MINNESOTA CHILDREN RECEIVING FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL LUNCH:

ONLY 15% RECEIVE THE SUMMER

FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

“ WHEN THE MEALS ON WHEELS COME, I EAT THEM BECAUSE I KNOW THEY’RE GOOD FOR ME. AS A RESULT, I’M FEELING BETTER AND GUESS WHAT? I’M NOT BACK AT THE HOSPITAL!”

– Norm, Metro Meals on Wheels recipient, Maple Grove

• Volunteer at a local food shelf, meal program or food bank.

• Provide cash or highly desired healthy food items at a food shelf.

• Learn how to be engaged in the Minnesota Hunger Initiative atMnHungerInitiative.org.

In partnership with Solutran, Medica and the Minnesota Hunger Initiative, The Healthy Savings Card is being offered to low-income food shelf clients. Households may use the card weekly to redeem $10 worth of fresh produce and healthy food discounts.

Source: MnHungerInitiative.org

In partnership with the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Hunger Initiative recently conducted an 18-month research study with 150 food shelves in Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Half of the food shelves received monthly nutritional assessment reports using the HEI on the food ordered at food banks. Findings showed that the nutritional quality of the food ordered at food banks improved for food shelves that were informed of the nutritional value of food orders. The HEI however, was not found to be user-friendly at food shelves, Funding is being secured to develop a user-friendly tool for Minnesota food shelves to assess the nutritional value of their full inventory.

Source: MnHungerInitiative.org

Minnesota Hunger Initiative is developing a tool kit of promising practices as a resource for Minnesota food shelves to increase accessibility for older adults.

Source: MnHungerInitiative.org

HEALTHY SAVINGS CARD

NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF FOOD SHELVES

OLDER ADULT TOOLKIT

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

ABOUT THE MINNESOTA HUNGER INITIATIVE (MNHI)The Minnesota Hunger Initiative (formerly the Twin Cities Hunger Initiative), convened by Greater Twin Cities United Way, is an alliance of hunger relief agencies collaborating to end hunger in the region. Initiative partners include: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP); Family Pathways; The Food Group; Greater Twin Cities United Way; Hunger Solutions Minnesota; Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA); Keystone Community Services; Loaves and Fishes Too; Matter; Metro Meals on Wheels; Minnesota Department of Human Services/Office of Economic Opportunities; Minnesota FoodShare; Neighborhood House; NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center; Open Arms of Minnesota; Pillsbury United Communities; Second Harvest Heartland; University of Minnesota Extension Services; Valley Outreach; and Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP). MNHI also works with various businesses and nonprofits to address hunger.

To learn more about the Minnesota Hunger Initiative, visit mnhungerinitiative.org.

Sources used in this report: AARP; Hunger Solutions, Minnesota; Journal of Nutrition; Minnesota Department of Human Services; National Foundation to End Senior Hunger; Share Our Strength- No Kids No Hungry; Social Service Review; United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Assistance Services.

2014 COMMUNITY REPORT

MINNESOTAHUNGERINITIATIVE

In 2006, Greater Twin Cities United Way convened a representative group of agencies to work together on innovative solutions to address the problem of hunger in our communities. Much progress has been made collectively to create a more responsive emergency food system in the metro area including:• 50 percent increase in food distribution

• 81 percent increase in eligible households participating inthe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In 2015, the MNHI was rebranded and is strategically expanding statewide. A new website launched in the fourth quarter of 2015 to share learnings, tools and resources.

How is Minnesota doing as a state to relieve hunger?

What does child and senior hunger look like in Minnesota?

What are some promising practices that the community is engaged in to address hunger?

The intent of the Minnesota Hunger Initiative’s (MNHI) Community Report is to assess and reflect on the status of hunger in Minnesota by addressing the following questions:

THE VISION: ELIMINATE HUNGER IN MINNESOTA.

Facebook post from single mom

“ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR NOT JUST BEING ABLE TO PHYSICALLY HELP OUR FOOD NEEDS, BUT FOR NOT MAKING US FEEL BAD FOR ASKING FOR HELP. WHEN I WALKED OUT OF THE FOOD SHELF TODAY, I REALIZED THAT MY FAMILY HAS BEEN CHANGED BY THE BAD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO BE REDUCED BY THEM. WHAT YOU DO IS CHANGING LIVES. THIS IS WHY FAMILY PATHWAYS’ FOOD SHELF EXISTS.”

— Family Pathways food shelf clients