Midwest Food Connection

Midwest Food Connections is dedicated to enriching elementary school education through hands-on food lessons in Northeast Minneapolis. Our mission is to ensure all children can access healthful, culturally relevant foods, regardless of background. For over 25 years, our professional educators have engaged K-8 students in underserved communities, fostering connections to nutritious foods and sustainable practices.

Last year alone, we reached 4,400 students across 27 Twin Cities schools with our acclaimed curriculum, which is celebrated by educators and parents alike for its comprehensive coverage of Minnesota food traditions. We are currently collaborating closely with Hmong and Indigenous partners to develop culturally specific curricula that honor diverse foodways within our state.

We partner closely with Eastside Co-op in Northeast Minneapolis, engaging students from schools like Waite Park, Webster, New City, and Marcy. At Eastside Co-op, we have hosted educational stations and participated in community celebrations, integrating food education into local culture.

Donations received during Seedlings month will enhance our capacity in Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis, enabling us to expand our reach in neighborhood schools. These funds will support free programs, collaboration with teachers, and the development of engaging, practical lessons in healthful eating, urban agriculture, and cultural cuisines.

Our food educators, supported by Seedlings donations, will lead interactive lessons covering nutritious eating, environmental stewardship, and practical life skills such as cooking and gardening. Through storytelling, music, and art, students will explore a variety of fresh, locally grown foods, fostering excitement and appreciation for wholesome eating habits.

Specifically, Seedlings donations will cover essential expenses like food supplies, teaching materials, educator salaries, and participation in educational events at local schools and Eastside Co-op. We are particularly thrilled about our upcoming curriculum expansion, which will delve deeper into Hmong and Indigenous food traditions, thanks to support from the Minnesota Historical Society. This initiative ensures culturally relevant and community-created lessons that celebrate and preserve our state’s rich culinary heritage.