Addressing Food Insecurity in Minnesota Takes a Village
The first three pages in the Minnesota Department of Health's Food Access report are stark, revealing that the Land of 10,000 Lakes is lacking when it comes to food access. Notably, a few statistics leap off the pages of the report:
- Minnesota ranks 7th worst in the nation for residents with access to healthy foods.
- Nearly 1 in 10 households in Minnesota experience food insecurity.
- 4 out of every 10 Minnesota public schools students (37.1%) are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch.
Despite these disheartening findings, several Minnesotans are combatting food insecurity through thoughtful, intentional community-based programs. Watch the Food For Thought: Common Ground miniseries (seriously, it's less than 10 minutes!) below.
Reframing the North Minneapolis Food Narrative
Hmong Farming in Minnesota
Feeding the Iron Range
Native Farming in Minnesota
Beyond School Meals
The Food For Thought: Common Ground miniseries is a collaboration between the Mardag Foundation and Twin Cities PBS about the innovative work Minnesota communities are doing around food narrative shifts, food sovereignty on tribal land, and Greater Minnesota programs.
This story is part of the digital storytelling project Racism Unveiled, which is funded by a grant from the Otto Bremer Trust.
Wondering what kind of good work is unfolding to tackle food justice across the country? Check out the efforts led by these three change-makers who seek out ways to promote ancestral connection and spirituality through agricultural projects.
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