The food group will complete a 3-year community food project in minnesota which aims to: 1) create a customized leadership development program to engage food shelves as advocates for a more…

The food group will complete a 3-year community food project in minnesota which aims to: 1) create a customized leadership development program to engage food shelves as advocates for a more equitable and just food system; 2) increase accessibility of local, sustainably-grown produce for low-income community members; and 3) build capacity in underserved communities wanting to grow and/or sell their own food. This project builds on the success of a prior CFP award and uses the food group is a nonprofit with unique assets, as IT is already working in multiple sectors of the food system - in addition to being the only independent food bank in minnesota and providing capacity-building support to food shelves with stocking fresh produce and culturally-specific foods, IT also runs an organic incubator farm, food hub and farmer training program for socially-disadvantaged farmers. In partnership with food shelves, farms, urban growers and gardening programs, the food group will: train food shelf staff in a systems perspective and effective methods for engaging low-income communities in their work; conduct 14 community engagement events with more than 300 participants to gather feedback and empower participants to address local food needs; strengthen the only organized gleaning program in the twin cities to supply produce to food shelves; start a dedicated farm plot to grow organic vegetables for food shelves; develop a new urban grower training program and connect growers with plants and resources needed to meet their own goals for production and market access.