Food Banks and Pantries in Minneapolis, MN

How to Get Free Food in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is served by Second Harvest Heartland, the largest food bank in the Upper Midwest, distributing food through about 700 partner agencies across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Loaves and Fishes operates the largest network of free dining rooms in the Twin Cities. The metro also benefits from Catholic Charities and People Serving People for daily meals.

Regional Food Bank: Second Harvest Heartland

The primary Feeding America member food bank serving the Minneapolis, MN area. It distributes food to an estimated 700 partner pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs across 59 counties across Minnesota and western Wisconsin, including the Twin Cities 7-county metro and Greater Minnesota.

Notable Pantries and Meal Sites in Minneapolis

This is a sample of well-known sites. For a full, current list of all pantries near you, use 211 or the food bank website above.

Soup Kitchens and Community Meals

Loaves and Fishes Minnesota is the largest soup kitchen operator in the Twin Cities, serving free hot meals at more than 15 rotating sites. Catholic Charities operates the Dorothy Day Opportunity Center with daily meals downtown. People Serving People serves meals for shelter residents and community members. Second Harvest Heartland supplies many smaller church kitchens.

Mobile Pantry Program

Second Harvest Heartland runs a Mobile Pantry program that delivers truckloads of fresh produce, dairy, and protein to underserved neighborhoods across the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. The schedule rotates weekly and is posted on 2harvest.org. Distributions are first-come first-served and often co-located with SNAP outreach.

SNAP / Food Stamp Outreach

Second Harvest Heartland provides SNAP outreach through its Minnesota Food HelpLine (1-888-711-1151) and at partner sites. Staff help residents apply through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The Minnesota SNAP hotline is 651-431-4050, and applications can be completed at applymn.gov.

How to Find a Pantry Near You in Minneapolis

Call 211 or the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 888-711-1151 for a referral to the nearest Second Harvest Heartland partner pantry. Visit 2harvest.org for the find-food locator, or use feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. Loaves and Fishes sites are reliable same-day meal options.

More Food & Benefits Guides

• SNAP / Food Stamps guide (general)
• WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
• EBT card guide -- how it works
• Free meals & community kitchens
• P-EBT & Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)

Frequently Asked Questions