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Nutritious Food Coalition

Joining forces to ensure Minnesotans in need get food

Who we are

The Nutritious Food Coalition is a public-private partnership to raise awareness and increase participation in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and provide guidance on means of better serving Minnesotans in need of healthy food. The coalition is comprised of more than 50 experts from a range of organizations.

The coalition meets quarterly to address food access issues, increase participation in SNAP, identify barriers and areas for expansion, and develop a coordinated outreach effort to ensure all Minnesotans who are eligible for the program have an opportunity to apply for it.

Coalition goals include:

• Identify barriers and means of increasing food access

• Provide guidance on ways to better serve Minnesotans in need of healthy food, particularly seniors

• Raise awareness about SNAP

• Educate people on eating nutritiously and cost effectively

• Increase participation in the SNAP program.
The coalition will measure the success of these efforts by an increase in participation among program-eligible Minnesotans.

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Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon

"More than 500,000 Minnesotans access food support benefits monthly," said Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon, who was instrumental in launching the Nutritious Food Coalition in 2012.

"Yet, many more, particularly seniors, are eligible for the program.The guidance, work and support of this coalition will encourage more Minnesotans to take advantage of SNAP so they can purchase the nutritious food they need to maintain healthy lifestyles."

Outreach agencies share information about the nutrition benefits, explain program processes and assist with applications to help those eligible make informed decisions.

Statewide outreach includes:

• More than 20 agencies, which are Food and Nutrition Service grant recipients and are part of Minnesota’s formal state outreach plan.

• Staff recruitment of local partners to conduct outreach.

• Coordination among the Minnesota Department of Human Services and counties to provide the “infrastructure” for material updates, supplies, training and communications.

• Free nutrition education materials and classes (SNAP-Education) through the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Chippewa Tribe to help SNAP participants make good purchasing choices and stretch their food dollars.

Coalition member profile

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Kathy Zeman, operations manager of Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association, with Bridget, one of many Saanen goats at Simple Harvest Farm Organics.

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Operations Manager Kathy Zeman oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association, a non-profit, membership-based organization that supports the growth and development of Minnesota’s farmers markets. Zeman owns Simple Harvest Farm Organics, a 20-acre certified organic omnivore food farm in Nerstrand, Minn.

We are most proud of: Assessing the needs of Minnesota’s farmers’ markets and vendors while continually building solutions to solve these needs, like: the Pickle Bill, which allowed limited sale of home-processed and canned foods; insurance for both farmers markets and vendors; acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefits Transfer cards at markets; and educational programs on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Department of Health rules and regulations.

The best part of our job is: Helping farmers markets and vendors achieve success by bringing good, healthy, local food to their communities in a sustainable manner.

We are excited to be a part of the Nutritious Food Coalition because: Being a member gives the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association a broader view of the entire local food movement.

In the future we: Are working on solutions for the emerging needs of farmers markets, such as food sampling, employment issues, business practices and food shelve collaboration.

Recent success we have seen through our efforts: Farmers markets in Minnesota are growing in number and popularity. We are dedicated to increasing the sustainability of our farmers and growers to provide food for our community.

For more information or general questions on the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association, email info@mfma.org.

What's new

USDA dispels incorrect SNAP information

The US Department of Agriculture recently released an updated fact sheet (PDF) on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and use. The fact sheet addresses many popular misconceptions about SNAP benefits, including inappropriate use in casinos and on ships.

SNAP participants can stretch dollars further at farmers markets

For the fourth consecutive year, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants can stretch their dollars further with a special incentive from Blue Cross Blue Shield that matches Electronic Benefit Transfer card purchases with up to an additional $5 in Market Bucks each market day. Market Bucks can be used during the same trip or anytime during the 2013 farmers market season on SNAP-eligible purchases.

This is part of an ongoing effort by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and its partners in the Nutritious Food Coalition, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, to increase access to healthy food for low-income Minnesotans participating in SNAP. Currently, more than 500,000 Minnesotans participate in the program.

Visit preventionminnesota.com for a full list of farmers markets across Minnesota that are accepting EBT and participating in the Market Bucks program this season. Blue Cross Blue Shield recently issued a news release on EBT (PDF) farmers market acceptance.

Simplified application launched for seniors to access healthy food

To increase seniors’ access to nutritious foods, DHS announced Wednesday, April 10, the launch of a new one-page application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Minnesotans age 60 and older. Stemming from the recommendation of the Nutritious Food Coalition, launched by Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon last year, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Application for Seniors is for seniors-only households. More information is in a news release about the SNAP application.

Senator Franken urges eligible Minnesotans to apply for food assistance

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) posted a Public Service Announcement reminding Minnesotans who struggle with hunger that help is available. In his video, SNAP Helping Children, Families [and] Seniors, Franken points out that “nearly one in two… that struggle with hunger is not enrolled in SNAP, even though they may qualify.” Franken’s message is posted on YouTube and the senator’s website. Detailed information about SNAP and eligibility requirements are available on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website.

Unemployed and underemployed Minnesotans now have a little more help purchasing healthy food

The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended its timeline to allow able-bodied adults without dependents an exemption from work provisions until the end of the federal fiscal year, September 2013, enabling them to access food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The waiver was first made available to states in January 2009. Minnesota is one of 46 qualifying states or geographic areas receiving the waiver now. Able-bodied Minnesotans are encouraged to voluntarily use SNAP employment and training services until they can find sustainable work. More information on SNAP is available on the DHS website.

Publications

A fact sheet, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps people with low incomes buy food, is available on the DHS website.

Three news releases are available on the DHS website:
Simplified application launched for seniors to access healthy food (April 2013)
State announces pilot to encourage eating fresh produce (March 2013)
Nutritious Food Coalition celebrates one-year anniversary (January 2013)

How we're doing

An electronic "Dashboard" helps Minnesotans know what they are getting from the programs they pay for, including the use of SNAP by eligible seniors.

How to get help

Help is available through the Minnesota Food Helpline at 1-888-711-1151.

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