Minnesota Grocers Fight Hunger

The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) is encouraging consumers statewide to check hunger off their lists by shopping at participating retailers during the October “Minnesota’s Own” campaign.

“Minnesota’s Own” is a three-way partnership of grocers, vendors and consumers aimed at increasing donations to Minnesota food shelves. The MGA coordinates the program across the state and has more than 230 retail participants and 14 vendor partners.

All food and monetary contributions collected in-store will go to local food banks and shelves to benefit hungry Minnesota families. Last year, the Minnesota’s Own campaign provided 6.2 million meals to hungry families in Minnesota and has set a goal to reach 6.5 million meals this year.

“Our grocers and vendor partners share consumers’ concerns for providing food and necessities to local families in need,” said Jamie Pfuhl, MGA president. “The participating retailers and vendors are proud to bring Minnesota’s Own to our communities, to help increase donations to their local food shelves, and to benefit area families during difficult economic times.”

Grocers and vendor partners will offer many ways for consumers to participate in Minnesota’s Own, including some of the following options:

• Food Drive – Buy items in the store and donate them to local food shelves;
• In-Store Promotions – Purchase specially marked items and vendor partners will donate an additional monetary amount to local food shelves; and
• “Check Off Hunger” Icons – For $1, $3 or $5, customers may contribute to food shelves at the register and sign a grocery list icon that will be displayed prominently in the store.

Now in its eighth year, the Minnesota’s Own program continues to increase its online and social media presence. Its public website will have live links to participating vendor and retail websites; in addition, many vendors are offering exclusive downloadable coupons. This encourages consumers to support sponsoring companies and assist in a statewide fight to end hunger by shopping for products identified by the Minnesota’s Own logo at their local grocers. There will also be a link to allow the public to donate to their community food support agency. The campaign will be on Twitter (@2013MNOwn) and on a Facebook page created to track the program’s progress of reaching 6.5 million meals.

“During this time of economic challenge, Minnesota’s Own provides an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of a social issue that affects all of our communities,” Pfuhl said. “By raising funds, increasing public support, and promoting local food shelf donations, the Minnesota food industry and consumers truly can make a difference in the fight to end hunger.”

Established in 1897, the St. Paul-based Minnesota Grocers Association is a state trade association representing more than 200 retail members with nearly 1,100 stores statewide, and some 100 distributors and manufacturers.