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If you or someone you love is struggling to put food on the table right now, you are not alone. 1 in 5 Minnesota households cannot afford the food they need and must use external support such as food shelves and SNAP to meet their needs. The good news? Help is closer than you may think. Second Harvest Heartland — a Minneapolis–St. Paul food bank and the second largest food bank in the country — runs one of the most accessible food networks in Minnesota, including mobile food distributions, food shelves, prepared meal programs, and more. This guide explains how their mobile and partner food programs work, how to find a site near you, and how to get extra support when you need it most.
What Is Second Harvest Heartland?
In partnership with more than 1,000 food shelves and hunger-relief programs in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland provided over 167 million meals to neighbors last year. Across the Twin Cities metro and in greater Minnesota, their programs, services, and resources help hungry families, school children, seniors, and others access healthy food, get the support they need, and most importantly, move toward a brighter future.
Their partners include large and small meal services, urban and rural food shelves, greater Minnesota schools, non-profit organizations, community centers, and numerous other hunger-relief groups. Together, this network creates a powerful safety net — and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
How to Find a Food Distribution Near You
Second Harvest Heartland does not publish a single, static mobile pantry schedule — their food distributions change regularly based on community partnerships and need. The best way to find a current location near you is to use their live tools:
- Food Resource Map: Visit their interactive “Map of Food Near Me” — available at 2harvest.org — which can direct you to food shelves and resources in your community.
- Care Center Phone/Text Line: Help is available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali. Call or text 866-844-3663, or email SHHCareCenter@2harvest.org.
- One-on-One Help: The Care Center can connect you to a food shelf and give you one-on-one help applying for food stamps (SNAP) or senior food boxes (CSFP).
Ramsey County residents can also call Second Harvest Heartland directly at 651-401-1411 (or toll-free at 1-866-844-FOOD), with interpreters available.
For more Twin Cities food options, Food Resources on the Hues Hope website lists additional local programs and pantries throughout the metro.
What to Expect at a Food Distribution
Visiting a food shelf or distribution site for the first time can feel intimidating, but the process is designed to be welcoming and low-barrier.
Shopper’s Choice Model
Many local food shelves, food pantries, and hunger relief agencies today use a “shopper’s choice” model that allows you to make your own healthy food and grocery choices for you and your family. Second Harvest Heartland sources and distributes a variety of culturally specific foods to their food shelf partners, such as jasmine rice, pollock, sardines, and cumin. Many food shelves, food pantries, and free food resources in the network offer options for those with dietary restrictions, allergies, and other food preferences.
No Proof Required at Many Sites
Many food shelf and distribution programs ask only for basic household information. Every day, thousands of hungry seniors, parents, students, and families across the region visit their local food shelves, food pantries, and hunger relief organizations for free groceries and healthy meals. You should never feel ashamed to ask for help — hunger can happen to anyone.
Special Programs to Know About
Kitchen Coalition — Free Prepared Meals
Not everyone has a stove, working kitchen, or the energy to cook. That’s where Kitchen Coalition comes in. Since its founding in 2020, Kitchen Coalition has provided nourishment to individuals and families with barriers to cooking. The program provides meals to people who don’t have a kitchen, are managing a crisis or time of transition, or have health issues that make cooking impossible.
Kitchen Coalition begins by listening to neighbors and community leaders to understand the need for prepared meals and ensure that the meals represent their dietary needs, such as halal, kosher, global cuisine, or simply comfort food. 77% of meals are made in kitchens within 3 miles of the distribution site or kitchens that are culturally connected with the distribution.
Meals are distributed through local nonprofits, including partners such as Community Bridge, InvolveMN, and The Real Minneapolis, which distribute meals to neighbors experiencing homelessness; and Brian Coyle Center and Keystone Community Services, which distribute Kitchen Coalition meals to community members who are unable to consistently cook due to mobility issues, illness, or other factors. Contact the Care Center to find a Kitchen Coalition distribution near you.
Senior Food Boxes (CSFP)
If you’re 60 or older and on a fixed income, you may qualify for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Low-income seniors age 60+ can sign up and receive a free box of healthy, shelf-stable groceries each month. In 2025, 20% of 65+ households in Minnesota were food insecure — so please don’t hesitate to reach out. Call the Care Center at 866-844-3663 to enroll.
FOODRx — Food as Medicine
For neighbors managing a chronic health condition, Second Harvest Heartland offers the FOODRx program. This clinically tested program ensures people with chronic health conditions have access to the nutrition, education, and support they need to thrive. Talk to a Care Center specialist or ask your doctor if you may qualify.
What If You Need More Than Food?
Food insecurity often comes alongside other hardships. Second Harvest Heartland’s Care Center can point you toward more resources — and so can Hues Hope. Here are some places to start:
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