MDA Invests $1.2M through Farm to Food Security Grants
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is pleased to announce the first round Farm to Food Security Grant recipients. Established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2025, the program is modeled after the former federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. It creates market opportunities for Minnesota farmers by funding projects that purchase local food and distribute it to Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity.
The MDA awarded $1,295,000 to 22 projects. Grantees based in 15 counties will purchase produce, meat, dairy products, eggs, grains, and other foods grown and raised in Minnesota from farmers, food hubs, Native-owned businesses, and other producers. The food will be distributed at no cost through food shelves, mobile markets, meal programs, community distribution sites, home deliveries, produce prescription programs, and community supported agriculture-style food boxes.
“These grants are a smart investment in Minnesota agriculture and the organizations across the state working every day to address food insecurity,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Our first round of grantees will put public dollars toward food grown and raised in Minnesota, supporting farmers while helping established hunger-relief partners better serve their communities. Thank you to the Minnesota Legislature for getting funding for this important program across the finish line last year.”
The MDA received 125 applications requesting a total of $7.1 million. Applications were evaluated through a competitive review process and all grant recipients completed a pre-award risk assessment. Applicants requesting amounts between $50,000 to $100,000 are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match on the portion above $50,000. For more information, including descriptions of each funded project, please visit the Farm to Food Security Grant webpage.
| Grantee Organization | Grantee County | Award Amount |
| Anoka County Brotherhood Council, Inc | Anoka | $50,000.00 |
| Calvary Lutheran Food Shelf | Hennepin | $100,000.00 |
| Care and Share of Crookston, Inc. | Polk | $50,000.00 |
| Community Action Center | Rice | $100,000.00 |
| Community Food Shelf at First Lutheran | Aitkin | $50,000.00 |
| Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College | Carlton | $49,988.00 |
| Front and Center Ministries, Inc. dba Eyota Food Pantry | Olmsted | $28,924.56 |
| Grand Rapids Farmers' Market | Itasca | $49,999.00 |
| Hennepin County Public Health | Hennepin | $49,400.00 |
| Hometown Hope | Norman | $30,000.00 |
| Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul | Ramsey | $49,500.00 |
| Keystone Community Services | Ramsey | $75,832.40 |
| LifeGate Services | Olmsted | $49,500.00 |
| Northwoods Food Project | Cook | $30,644.48 |
| Open Cupboard | Washington | $49,900.00 |
| Pine River- Backus Family Center | Cass | $47,929.00 |
| Second Harvest Northland | St. Louis | $100,000.00 |
| Sisters' Camelot | Hennepin | $49,500.00 |
| Sprout MN | Morrison | $50,000.00 |
| TC Food Justice | Washington | $100,000.00 |
| The Food Group | Hennepin | $100,000.00 |
| Virginia Farmers Market Hub | St. Louis | $33,882.56 |
| $1,295,000.00 |
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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us
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