Food Shelves Feeling the Pressure of Increased Demand

Last year alone there were 5.5 million visits to the state’s food shelves, nearly two million more than in 2021.  The increased demand has been putting extreme pressure on food organizations around the state.  Jason Viana with the Open Door Pantry in Eagan says we need to be doing more than helping put food on the table:

“The most effective thing we can do to decrease need at our organizations is to make more affordable housing to make health care affordable and daycare for I mean we know that we are ultimately a band-aid when people come and get a week’s worth of groceries it’s just helping them fill gaps.”

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is asking the state for five-million dollars in emergency food funds to help eliminate the pressures food shelves across the state are facing.