Minnesotans who have lost their jobs and watched their incomes drop during the Covid-19 pandemic have less to spend on necessities, including food. As the struggle to put healthy food on the table has increased, there is more help available from state and local sources.

Since the pandemic began, the state and its community partners have issued food benefits to more than 400,000 Minnesotans per month. In most cases, the aid has been funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

SNAP ensures that people have resources to buy food, and that grocery stores and farmers markets have customers, even as the economy hurts during this pandemic. Food shelves and food banks help fill in the gaps.

Many Minnesotans may be applying for benefits for the first time during this pandemic.

Families and individuals in need of additional food support can find links to resources on the department’s website at mn.gov/dhs/food-emergency or by calling the Food Helpline at 1-888-711-1151.