Our annual Impact Report serves as an important organizational touchstone – a reflection on a year of community engagement and advancing food equity and justice. It tells a summarized story of where we were, what we did, and what we learned. And it charts the course for where we aim to go in realizing our vision that everyone should have access to the food they need. Stories of Change Our 2023 Impact Report tells the story of how we worked together toward change, from equipping neighborhood food shelves to meet record visits, to supporting the next generation of farmers, to bringing affordabl ..read more

Marcus Carpenter is helping BIPOC emerging farmers grow their businesses and increase food access in underserved communities. We partner with Route 1, a resource hub for emerging BIPOC farmers based out of Hamel. It’s an impactful, symbiotic relationship that gives local farmers the opportunity to offer their produce through our online market for community food shelf partners. The organization got its name from the road that cuts through founder Marcus Carpenter’s great-grandfather’s farm in Arkansas. Founded in October 2022, Marcus started Route 1 to help solve food insecurity within BIPOC ..read more

Last month, Hunger Solutions — our trusted, longtime partner organization in the anti-hunger space — officially became part of The Food Group. This is an especially exciting time for us, because this deeper level of partnership comes with new, complementary hunger relief programs and advocacy experience for even greater impact in serving our community members experiencing hunger.  Food needs across Minnesota continue to climb year over year. According to data collected by Hunger Solutions, our state recorded more than 7.5 million food shelf visits in 2023, breaking 2022’s record by mor ..read more

From Sierra Leone to Minnesota By Cathy Nguyen, Marketing and Communications Coordinator When Ore Taylor isn’t pulling an all-nighter to prepare for an 8 a.m. meeting with her colleagues in Europe, you can find her tending to her peppers and potatoes at Big River Farms. Even though Ore’s full-time job has been in engineering for the past 20 years, she always had her hands in dirt either in community gardens, her backyard or her mother’s farm in West Africa. Ore felt inspired by her mother’s farm in Sierra Leone and had always been curious about nutrient density in crops. Her mother had the bi ..read more

Enhanced programs, broadened reach and deeper systems change. A new chapter in community food security begins. We are excited to share with you, The Food Group will be joining forces with Hunger Solutions Minnesota officially starting in March 2024. Hunger Solutions Minnesota is a trusted long-time partner organization with complementary programs and a leader in anti-hunger public policy. This deeper level of partnership, through formally combining efforts as one organization, will expand our capacity to champion food systems changes centered on community voice. Specifically, our hunger relie ..read more

Forget fancy plates and overpriced menus. By Cathy Nguyen, Marketing and Communications Coordinator This Valentine’s Day, let’s keep it simple, delicious and totally homemade. We’re talking juicy sirloins with onions that melt in your mouth, a rich red wine sauce that’s so good you’ll wanna lick the pan (maybe not…but we get it) and veggie sides roasted to perfection. No pressure, just good food and good company. Grab most of your ingredients at Fare For All, a program of The Food Group! This month, Fare For All’s HOT BUY features LOCAL Thousand Hills 11 oz. top sirloin beef st ..read more

How a lift gate and rolling carts transformed CES Food Shelf’s Home Delivery program At The Food Group, we’re passionate about ensuring food security for everyone in our community, especially those facing challenges like physical limitations or age. That’s why we’re thrilled to share the incredible impact of a recent partnership with CES Food Shelf on their Home Delivery program. This collaboration resulted in two game-changers: a lift gate on their delivery van and rolling carts with shelves incorporated into their delivery process. These seemingly simple additions have made a world of diffe ..read more

Skip the takeout menus and whip up a restaurant-worthy meal in the comfort of your own kitchen. Print Easy Sirloin Steaks Try pairing this easy sirloin steak recipe with a red wine mushroom sauce. The combination is packed with flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a casual date night in. Customize and serve with your preferred seasonings, marinades, sauces and sides. Course Main Course Cuisine American Keyword dinner Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Cook Time 10 minutes minutes Inactive Time 5 minutes minutes Total Time 20 minutes minutes Se ..read more

Their slow caramelization brings out their natural sugars, creating a rich, jammy texture and an intoxicating aroma that fills the kitchen. Print Caramelized Onions Caramelized onions are incredibly versatile. With a little patience, you can create a batch of caramelized onions that will add depth and flavor to your meals for days to come. Try topping them on burgers, hot dogs, bratwursts, pizzas, flatbreads, toast or bagels. Give this recipe a try and unlock the magic of caramelized onions! Course Side Dish Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Cook Time 55 minutes minutes Total Time 1 hour hour S ..read more

With its easy preparation and endless versatility, the Red Wine Mushroom Sauce is a culinary gem you’ll reach for again and again. Print Red Wine Mushroom Sauce Not just for sipping, its tannins and acidity add depth and complexity, beautifully balancing the earthiness of the mushrooms. A hint of butter rounds out the texture and creates a luxurious mouthfeel, and herbs lend a touch of elegance and fragrance. Drizzle over steak or roasted veggies, elevate your burger game with a generous slathering or use it as a dip for crusty bread. The possibilities are endless! Prep Time 5 minutes minu ..read more