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Fighting Hunger. Nourishing our Community.

The Food Group, fighting hunger, nourishing our community since 1976, distributed 6.1M pounds of food in 2016. Programs focus on nutrition equity and supporting those in need. With programs like Fare For All and Mobile Food Shelf, efforts are made to reach seniors and low-income individuals struggling with food access barriers. MFA's mission is to establish a just food system through education and partnerships. The Harvest Park Farm project promotes environmental stewardship and community empowerment. Join us in creating a healthier, sustainable future.

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Fighting Hunger. Nourishing our Community.

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  1. Fighting Hunger. Nourishing our Community.

  2. The Food Group • Mission Statement: Fighting hunger. Nourishing our community. • Founded in 1976 | Celebrated 40 years of service in 2016. • Distributed6,160,746 million pounds of food in 2016 which equates to approximately 5.1 million meals. • Supported by the community – 31,469 hours volunteered (equivalent to 15 full time staff). • Annual operating budget of approximately $6.5 million ($9.9 million with in-kind). • 33 full-time team members. • Network of over 240 partner organizations & program sites.

  3. The Food Group’s Programs • Agency Support • Partnering with food shelves and other hunger-relief partners including: • Wholesale food purchasing • Focus on nutrition and cultural equity • Supportive services and resources • Fare For All • Reduced cost grocery sales • Traveling healthy grocery store with 37 monthly distribution sites • Focused on distributing fresh produce and lean meats • Mobile Food Shelf • Partnership with 28 subsidized housing sites to provide free food distributions • Clients include seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals and families • Helps those struggling to access traditional food shelves due to health, transportation, and/or mobility barriers

  4. Effective April 1, 2017 the merger between The Food Group and Minnesota Food Association will be final. • MFA programs will remain intact as will the name and brand of MFA and Big River Farms operating as programs of The Food Group. • This merger will strengthen both organizations. • Provide The Food Group with additional differentiation within the food access system • Provide MFA with increased infrastructure in fundraising, financial stability, and program capacity

  5. Mission The mission of MFA is to build a sustainable food system based on social, economic and environmental justice through training, education and partnerships.

  6. Programs • Certified Organic Farmer Training and Education • Basic Training • Whole Farm Management • Organic Transitions • Open to BRF growers and other farmers • Immigrant and Minority Farmers Conference • Youth and Community Engagement • Big River Farms Food Hub

  7. Harvest Park FarmProject Summary • Partnership between the City of Maplewood Parks and Recreation Department and The Food Group/Minnesota Food Association • Repurpose unused ballfields into organic farm fields • Land based farm training • Appx. 12 quarter acre plots • Basic Training • Organic certification • Explore opportunities to provide the community access to locally grown, organic produce

  8. Harvest Park FarmBenefits • Environmental Stewardship • Economic Empowerment • Community action and learning • Community access to Healthy Food

  9. Harvest Park FarmExamples of Potential Programming • Onsite Events • Cooking Demonstrations • Community gatherings • Youth Education and Activities • Demonstration garden • Adult Education and Activities • Healthy eating • Gardening classes • Sustainable practices • All farmer training and classes will be open to the public

  10. Harvest Park FarmBeginning site prep – First Week of May

  11. Harvest Park FarmReady – Set – Go! First week of July

  12. Timeline

  13. Harvest Park FarmQuestions? Anita Berg, Director of Programs aberg@thefoodgroupmn.org 763-450-3864 Samuel says, “Thanks for your time tonight!”

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