Mission
Collaborating together to find innovative ways for people in Crow Wing County to have access to healthy foods.
Healthy School Food
Increase access to fruits and vegetables while decreasing access to foods high in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars for student and staff at the three public school districts and Crosslake Community School in Crow Wing County. Over the long term we will measure success by showing lower obesity rates in our school aged children as well as adults, as these lifestyle changes, will carry over into their own home lives, and into their own families.
To get involved in this effort contact: Arlene Jones by email or phone
Healthy Food Shelves
Working together with local farmers markets and other community partners, we would like to increase healthy food options for individuals and families who are in need. We would like to do so by:
- Establish a Crow Wing County Farmer’s Market Coalition – working together
- Assess accessibility to the community, and assist in bridging gaps in transportation or possible locations of the farmers markets.
- Develop and build partnerships in order to have an EBT reader, to assist in utilization of Market Bucks for SNAP, WIC, credit cards, and more!
- Educate and promote the local farmers markets, as to when and where they are located, and ways that you can get involved if you are interested.
To get involved in this effort contact: Carolyn McQueen or Kelli Johnson
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
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.
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.
9541 Madison St., Garrison • 320-692-5399
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
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.
Blessings Food Shelf is open to the public for those needing assistance in food supplies.
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.
617 Poplar Street, Crosby • 218-546-6559
Feeding bodies, nourishing spirits, strengthening communities.