EYOTA, Minn. (KTTC) – The President of the board of Directors of Eyota’s food shelf, Front and Center, commented on the impact of its recent grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) “Farm to Food” security grant program.
The MDA awarded $1,295,000 to 22 different food assistance programs and projects in the state. For the 2027 round of grantees, the MDA says there were 125 applications. Within the 15 counties that received the reimbursement grants, the Olmsted County food shelf received $28,924.56.
The Farm to Food program provides funding for hunger relief programs to buy produce that is at least 80% grown or produced in Minnesota. This includes local and statewide food access organizations, universities, hospitals, and Tribal entities among others.
Beth Krolak, the President of Front and Center’s Board of Directors, stated she was seeing more people using food shelves currently due to changes in health insurance, SNAP benefits, and job security.
Because these factors contributing to food insecurity are constantly shifting, Krolak said the grant helps the food shelf increase the amount of food every person can take home.
“It allows us to have a consistent supply of fresh produce throughout the year. And then it allows farmers to have consistent customers,” Krolak stated. “It is truly a gift to be able to tell people when they walk up to the producer cooler, ‘please take as much as you will use this week.’”
While the Farm to Food program provides funding to food assistance programs, the MDA website also notes it helps producers keep their sales local and in the Minnesota economy.
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