Food insecurity continues to be a concern for many Minnesota households during the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 100,000 new SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) applications submitted since late March of this year. There are resources available to assist individuals and families in need. Both Ramsey County and Washington County have dedicated webpages highlighting programs that increase monthly food budgets for Minnesotans of all ages, plus those with transportation and/or mobility issues.
Residents can also contact the Minnesota Food Help Line at 888-711-1151 to connect them to programs such as SNAP, WIC (Women, Children and Infants), and MFAP (Minnesota Food Assistance Program). And, organizations such as Second Harvest Heartland and Hunger Solutions Minnesota provide comprehensive connections to local food shelves, free meal programs, produce giveaways, farm to table services, and other hunger initiatives.