Minneapolis is taking action to keep families fed.

As the federal government shutdown delays and disrupts critical food assistance, 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.

More than 60,000 Minneapolis residents - about 14% of the city's population - rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy food each month. While two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must use contingency funds to continue some SNAP payments during the shutdown, it's still unclear when-or if-those funds will reach families in full.

"When Washington stalls, Minneapolis acts," Mayor Frey said. "Local governments should not have to clean up the mess that the President makes. While I am glad we can help keep neighbors fed, this is a stopgap measure. We need the federal government to do its job and fund the critical programs it's obligated to run."

Last week, Mayor Frey visited a neighborhood food shelf to drop off canned goods and encourage residents who can to step up for their neighbors.

The City's immediate funding will help frontline food shelves and food rescue organizations already under contract with the City to rescue and distribute fresh produce, eggs, milk, and other essentials.

Frey emphasized that Minneapolis will continue monitoring the situation closely and could consider additional local action depending on what happens at the federal level.

While SNAP benefits are administered by Hennepin County, the City is coordinating with county and state partners to help fill the gap locally.

There are more than 300 food shelves and meal programs in Minnesota to help families in need. Here's how residents can help:

• Donate cash - Food shelves can stretch your dollar further by purchasing fresh foods like produce, eggs, and milk at wholesale prices
• Volunteer your time - Extra hands are always needed to stock shelves and serve families
• Find your nearest food shelf at hungersolutions.org/find-help or by calling 1-888-711-1151

Stay informed about SNAP updates and other food assistance programs through Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

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About the funding

The $150,000 being directed to local food shelves and food rescue organizations comes from existing funds already appropriated for the City's Homegrown Minneapolis program. These unspent dollars were previously approved for food rescue in 2024 and rolled over into 2025- meaning taxpayers have already paid for them. Redirecting these existing resources ensures that every dollar works harder for Minneapolis residents when it's needed most.