Healthy Foods

Mission

Collaborating together to find innovative ways for people in Crow Wing County to have access to healthy foods.

Local Farmer’s Markets

Crow Wing County Farmers Markets are open for your fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. They also offer a wide variety of meat and dairy products, baked goods, pickles, wild rice, maple syrup, jewelry, lotions, soaps, preserves, fresh cut flowers, and other canned goods. We are fortunate to have several Farmers Markets in our communities. Here is a list of some of the Farmers Markets in our area:

Brainerd – Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Franklin Art Center

Baxter – Fridays, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Port Shopping Center

Nisswa – Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at American Legion

Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to noon at The Spot-371, Brainerd

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main Street Plaza, Crosby

Thursdays, 3-7 p.m. at Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. next to Ideal Fire Department on County Road 16, Ideal Township

Thursdays, 2-6 p.m. at State Highway 6/Forest Drive, Deerwood

Food Assistance Programs

Thousands of neighbors across our region reach out for food help every week. If you could benefit from food help, you are not alone and our network of partners is here for you.

Below you will find two types of immediate food help resources:

Mobile Food Pantry, a drive-through-style outdoor distribution that reaches communities across our region. The schedule is linked below. All are welcome. Please follow income guidelines listed on the schedule. Food will be distributed until we run out.

A searchable map of food shelves, meal programs, soup kitchens and other distributions across our region, including hours of operation and links for additional information. We invite you to explore the options that work best for you and encourage you to visit!

Visit Second Harvest Northland’s website for more information.

218-326-4420

Provides a package of food once a month to help kids get by. Each pack contains 8-12 “kid-friendly” food items that can be consumed with little or no preparation.

Distribution sites:

  • Cuyuna Range Elementary
  • Garfield Elementary
  • Harrison Elementary
  • Riverside Elementary

218-825-7682

Provides much needed meals weekly to students facing summer hunger. For more information View locations»

One Vegetable One Community strives to unite the community by encouraging our community to plant, grow, cook and/or share a single vegetable. Check out this link for more information.

34212 CR 3, Crosslake, MN • 218-692-1004

302 Cross Ave N, Crosby, MN 56441  •  (218) 546-3139

29316 Patriot Avenue Pequot Lakes  •  218-568-8474

The Lakes Area Food Shelf is committed to making sure that no one has to go hungry. The food shelf is considered a “choice food shelf” which means that it is set up like a grocery store and you are allowed to choose your own food, personal care items, and household goods from the selections available. We will also do curbside service and you may inquire about home delivery. Bring reusable bags (choice shopping). Agreed to food “as is”. No sale of food is allowed.

https://lakesareafoodshelf.org/

20948 Co. Rd. 1, Emily  •  218-763-3097

The Emily Food Shelf is what is considered to be a “choice food shelf”, which means that it is set up like a grocery store and our neighbors are allowed to pick their own food and personal care items from the selections available. We do our best to offer fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, canned fruits and vegetables, other shelf-stable items, and personal care items consistently at each of our distributions.

If you are unable to visit us due to transportation issues or other circumstances, please contact us at 218-763-3663 so we can help! There is truly no reason to go without.

http://www.emilyfoodshelf.com/

9541 Madison St., Garrison  •  320-692-5399

Visit the Garrison Area Care Givers Facebook Page

208 South 5th St., Brainerd  •  218-829-1120

Our food shelves offer a wide range of groceries, allowing individuals and families in need to stretch their budgets. Food boxes may include shelf-stable pantry items, breads, cereals, meat and other household necessities. On occasion, fresh produce is also made available.

https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/BrainerdLakes/cure-hunger/

The Central Lakes College Food Pantry provides fresh and nutritious food options to students enrolled at CLC. Our goal is to eradicate hunger on our campus. Our motto is “Eat Well, Study Well”.

CLC Food Pantry Locations
Brainerd Campus: HUB Student Needs Center – Room E205
Staples Campus: Veterans Center – Room A164

www.clcmn.edu/clc-food-pantry/

Ruby’s Pantry distributes food at Pop-Up Pantry locations across MN & WI. There is no income or residency requirement and for a $25 bundle donation you will receive an abundance of groceries.

https://rubyspantry.org/home

Blessings Food Shelf is open to the public for those needing assistance in food supplies.

First Baptist Church website

218-829-4203

923 Oak Street, Brainerd

Dinner served: Monday-Saturday 5-6:00 pm Sunday 12:30-1:30pm

40141 State Hwy 6, Emily

Care N Share, a non-profit in Emily, serves a hot meal to families in the area.

For more information visit the Care N Share Facebook page

617 Poplar Street, Crosby  •  218-546-6559

Feeding bodies, nourishing spirits, strengthening communities.

Click here for more information.