Minnesota is facing an urgent moment. Visits to food shelves are already at record highs — more than 9 million already this year — and with the federal government shutdown pausing SNAP benefits, even more families are struggling to put food on the table.

At the same time, there’s an opportunity sitting in our fields and storage units. Emerging farmers across Minnesota — small growers earning under $25,000 a year — have more than 20,000+ pounds of fresh, healthy food that needs to be harvested before the frost and another 30,000+ sitting in cold storage just waiting to go out. Without help, much of it will go to waste.

Through our Harvest Hope in Minnesota campaign, we’re working to raise $120,000 to connect these two needs: purchasing food directly from emerging farmers and distributing it to Twin Cities food shelves. This approach helps feed local families and supports small farmers who rely on their crops to sustain their own. It’s a win for our communities on both sides.

We’re looking for partners to help fund this effort quickly so that food doesn’t go to waste — and so families don’t go hungry. Your support could make a direct, measurable difference in the next few weeks.