2022 Statewide Food Shelf Survey

Hello Food Shelf Leaders!

Thank you for your involvement in the 2022 Minnesota Food Shelf Survey! As of January 2023, over 7,000 survey responses have been collected from clients of more than 300 food shelves! The University of Minnesota Extension Evaluation team has been hard at work entering data, quality checking and starting initial analysis for statewide, regional and local reports.

In December of 2022, four data party sessions were held which provided stakeholders an opportunity to preview preliminary data from the 2022 Minnesota Food Shelf Surveys. The conversations from these sessions were insightful and a great way to bring different voices in the hunger relief sector together. Your perspectives and input will help influence statewide and regional reports expected in March 2023.

Session Engagement and High-Level Themes

Nearly 200 individuals registered across the four data party sessions and over 150 voices joined breakout rooms to discuss the data. Breakouts were facilitated by Extension staff, FFEN staff and other leaders in the hunger relief sector and key discussion items were captured on jamboards.

An overview of the high-level themes from the data parties can be found here.
All comments from the 16 jamboards can be viewed here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@ffen.org

About the Minnesota Food Shelf Survey

The Minnesota Food Shelf Survey is administered through the University of Minnesota Extension and the Foundation for Essential Needs, in partnership with the Department of Human Services (DHS), Hunger Solutions, and SuperShelf.

This survey takes place every 2-3 years throughout the state of Minnesota, to understand satisfaction among clients and general trends in food shelf use, in order to improve the experience for clients and better meet their needs. In July and August 2022, shoppers will be able to complete the survey confidentially and anonymously, on paper or electronically. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The aggregate results of this survey are used by many stakeholders, and each food shelf location that receives completed survey responses from at least 10 clients will receive their specific results after the survey is complete, in late 2022.

Benefits for Participating Food Shelves

Receive prepared survey materials to implement the survey
Receive an individualized Food Shelf Report with feedback from your clients
Be entered into a drawing for a $500 food credit at your food bank
Be part of a unique opportunity to inform broader hunger relief priorities and investments!

Resources for Food Shelves

Documents and Resources

SURVEYS are available in the following languages available for you to download and print:

Survey Cover Sheet

Survey Handouts

Food Shelf Manager Survey

Food shelf managers were emailed their survey on August 15th, 2022.

Preview the food shelf manager survey questions
Email sent to food shelf managers available here
Food shelf manager survey video

Additional Materials and Resources

Videos

Helpful videos to answer many of your questions!

Questions? Contact us!

Call/Text: 612-524-9360 Email: info@ffen.org

USDA NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

All institutions are equal opportunity providers and employers. For more information about USDA non-discrimination policy or to inquire about filing a complaint, go to http://z.umn.edu/u76.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact the MN Food Help Line at 1-888-711-1151.

This resource was funded in part by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP-Ed – with funds received from and through the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Individual Food Shelf Survey Results were sent to participating agencies in summer 2020.

COVID-19 IMPACT ON THESE REPORTS

It is important as readers of this 2019 survey to note that these data were collected prior to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic and do not reflect the potential impacts of COVID-19 on food shelf clients in 2020. Evidence from national data suggests that food insecurity has increased since the start of the pandemic*.

The "Top 5" foods remain more important than ever during the current economic and health crisis because they are higher nutritional value and more expensive.
Providing a welcoming environment is even more important to help people, especially first time food shelf users, feel comfortable asking for help, given the increased need many people are finding themselves in due to COVID-19.
A choice-based food distribution model (in whatever degree possible while also maintaining COVID-19 safety protocols) allows clients to choose foods that are important to them with dignity and respect.

*Schanzenbach, D. W., & A. Pitts. (2020). How much has food insecurity risen? Evidence from the Census Household Pulse Survey. Institute for Policy Research Rapid Research Report. https://www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/reports/ipr-rapid-researchreports-pulse-hh-data-10-june-2020.pdf

Key Highlights from the 2019 Statewide Food Shelf Client Survey

Healthy foods, including fresh fruits and veggies, continue to be in demand and clients know how to prepare them.
The “Top 5” foods clients told us they wanted in 2019 are meat and other proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, eggs, and cooking and baking supplies; which are the same top 5 foods that clients requested in 2017. These foods are often available, but not frequently enough; there is still more work to be done to provide them reliably.
A good client experience is about more than just providing food, it also means providing services in a welcoming and dignified manner. Providing a positive client experience is an area that needs further improvement.
Despite the great work happening in the hunger relief sector today, clients still face significant food insecurity and need to make budget trade-offs between food & other basic needs.

Curious to recall what clients said in 2017? Read that report below!