Challenges

Buying Food

Many jobs in Minnesota do not pay enough for everyone to afford healthy food.

Some healthy foods can cost significantly more than unhealthy alternatives.

Many people and institutions would like to purchase substantial quantities of foods grown nearby or using sustainable production methods, but these foods can be too costly.

Selling Food

Food stores, such as small-town grocery stores, corner and convenience stores in low-income communities, as well as other types of vendors may offer limited amounts of healthy foods or offer healthy foods at high prices.

Small, locally owned grocery stores can have difficulty beating the prices of healthy food options that large, national competitors can offer.

Some stores and farmers markets don’t accept WIC or SNAP/EBT, making it difficult for limited-resource shoppers to afford healthy foods.

Not enough farmers’ markets offer a financial incentive promotional program for SNAP/EBT users, which can help make healthy foods more affordable for low-income customers.

The Minnesota Food Charter will ensure we have healthy, affordable and safe food, building a legacy of health for future generations.

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The Minnesota Food Charter Network is supported by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Department of Health, University of Minnesota Extension, and the General Mills Foundation. This material was funded in part by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP – with funds received from and through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The Minnesota Food Charter Network is hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Institute.