Carver County & Minnesota Food Assistance
Minnesota Food Help Line
The Minnesota Food Help Line: The Minnesota Food HelpLine assesses the caller’s situation and provides solutions to their food needs. Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine to see if you qualify for SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) or to learn more about food shelves, free meals, farmers’ markets, or other resources in your area. Contact them via this form or by calling 1-888-1151.
Food Shelves & Discounted Groceries
Food Shelves in Carver County
Food Shelves in Carver County provide food and basic needs to individuals and families living on little. Food shelves must serve everyone on their first visit, but they may refer you to a food shelf closer to where you live after the first visit. If it’s more convenient for you to use a certain location, you are encouraged to talk to food shelf volunteers. Following is a list of organizations that partner with families in Carver County. Hours vary by organization.
- Location: 1600 Bavaria Road, Chaska
- Contact: (952) 556-0244
- Shop for free groceries twice per month
- Appointments are encouraged but not required
- Food delivered at no charge by Southwest Transit the First and Third Tuesday of each month. Call 952-556-0244 the week prior to set up a free delivery.
- Location: 309 Lewis Ave S., Watertown (in City Hall)
- Contact: (952) 955-1980 and https://www.watertownfoodshelf.com
- Select the date and time for curbside pick-up. Order online or call for an appointment to make your food selection by phone.
- Location: 11 South Elm Street, Waconia
- Contact: (952) 442-3878
- New shoppers must register for an appointment here
- Shop for food, personal care items, and basic household items twice per month
- The Connection Center also offers free employment and budgeting services, nutrition classes, life coaching sessions, and mental health support groups.
- Location: 14700 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie
- Contact: (952) 937-9120
- Shop for free groceries
- Also offers many wrap around services such as employment assistance, financial mentoring, nutritional coaching, and enrichment programs for youth and seniors.
- Location: 10 First Avenue NE, Norwood Young America
- Contact: (952) 467-1870
- Call to schedule an appointment to shop for free groceries
- A Little Free Pantry is a mini-pantry open 24 hours. The Chaska site is located at 115 E 4th St, Chaska, MN 55318. The pantry is self-serve and no personal information is needed to get food.
Discounted Groceries
Fare for All is a pop-up grocery store selling packs of fresh produce and frozen meat at up to 40% off of retail prices. There are no qualifications to participate and no pre-registration needed. SNAP/EBT, credit, debit, and cash are accepted methods of payment. They use a co-op model, so the more people who shop the better.
CHASKA LOCATION: Fare for All is located at the Crown of Glory Church in Chaska once a month, typically the fourth Thursday of the month from 4-6pm.
NYA LOCATION: Fare for All is located at All Saints Lutheran Church in NYA once a month, typically the first Thursday of the month from 3-5pm (note different dates for October and November).
Dates for the Chaska, NYA, and over 30 other sites are listed here.
Fare For All pop-up grocery store is at the Crown of Glory Church in Chaska—typically the fourth Thursday of the month from 4-6 pm. Check here for dates!
Free Food Distributions
Free Food Distributions are offered twice a month in Carver County: the first Wednesday of the month at the Norwood Young America City Hall from 12:30-1:30pm and the third Thursday of the month at 2100 Stoughton Ave, Chaska from 12-1pm. These events are open to anyone, are drive-thru and contact-free, and people can pick up for multiple households. Food offered includes a variety of dairy products, meat, produce, bread, and dry goods. Find details about upcoming distributions in NYA here and in Chaska distribution here. Mi C.A.S.A. also offers regular food distributions in Carver, Scott, and Dakota Counties through Mi C.A.S.A.; find details for upcoming events here.
Free food distribution on the first Wednesday of the month at the Norwood Young America City Hall, 310 Elm St W, Norwood Young America, from 12:30-1:30pm.
Free food distribution on the third Thursday of the month at 2100 Stoughton Ave, Chaska from 12-1pm.
Organizations
His House Foundation rescues food items, including prepared food, and redistributes it to people in need. This connection assists people in need AND minimizes food waste. They provide services with no limits, no judgments and no boundaries. The type of food varies daily and includes a variety of prepared items and fresh foods. Other services include housing stabilization services (coordinated-entry) and a resource center with household goods, clothing, furniture, and other items.
The Humanity Alliance provides meals for individuals and families. Their Weekend Meal Delivery program provides a weekend’s worth of freshly made, nutritious meals. The meals are delivered each Friday right to your door. The meal-kit includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for Friday night through Monday morning. Choose your delivery size based on the number of people in your household. Meals are provided at no cost, and donations are accepted.
For Seniors
Meals on Wheels, available through the Community Action Partnership of Carver-Scott-Dakota Counties (CAP Agency) provides home delivered meals to adults ages 60+. The suggested donation is $5 per meal, but no one will be denied service if unable to pay. For more information, contact Sarah Tormoen at (952) 402-9855 or seniornutrition@capagency.org for more information or to sign up.
Transportation or Mobility Barriers
Need help ordering online groceries? Over-the-phone assistance and step-by-step guides for those learning how to order groceries online. Call (612) 626-FOOD (3663) for phone assistance. This service is provided by the University of Minnesota’s Medical Reserve Corps. Our Grocery Coaches are available by request and are happy to call you at your convenience to walk through the grocery ordering process.
Increase Your Monthly Food Budget
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Minnesotans with lower incomes get the food they need for sound nutrition and well-balanced meals. Approved participants get a debit card to use to buy food at many stores and farmers markets. In the past, SNAP was known as Food Stamps. The amount of SNAP benefits your household can get is based on the income, expenses and the number of people in your household.
The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping parents move to financial stability through work. Parents are expected to work, and are supported in working with both cash and food assistance. Most families have a lifetime limit of 60 months on MFIP.
The Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP) provides state-funded food assistance to legal noncitizens age 50 or older who do not qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because of their citizenship status.
There are several ways to apply
- Visit MNbenefits.mn.gov to Apply online
- Complete a paper application
- Individuals and families less than 60 years of age can use the Combined Application Form
- Individuals and couples 60 years and older should use the one-page Senior SNAP Application
- Contact the Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver and Dakota Counties (CAP Agency) for assistance with completing the application
WIC Program: The Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and children up to age 5 stay healthy. Caregivers, including dads, grandparents, foster parents of young children and working families can also apply. There is no cost to you for participating.
- WIC Provides:
- Nutrition education and counseling
- Access to healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, whole grains, infant foods, cereals and more
- Breastfeeding support
- Referrals to health and social services
- Information about other services
- Program Qualifications
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a child under age 5, you may qualify for WIC. You can view the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) income guidelines to see if you qualify.
- Caver County residents can call (952) 818-3728 to be screened over the phone or complete this screening form.
The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) is a program that helps families transition into economic stability. The MFIP grant includes a cash and food portion. While on this program, parents are expected to work and also have to work with employment services. If parents do not meet the expectations of the program, then benefits may be reduced. MFIP has a 60 month lifetime limit, and only certain families can qualify for an extension. While you are participating in this program you may get child care assistance.
Legal non-citizens ages 50 or older who do not qualify for SNAP can receive state-funded food assistance through the Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP). Learn more and apply here.
Free Meals
The Gathering Place, located at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska, provides a free meal every Monday from 5:15-6:15pm. These homemade meals are available for pick up only. There are no qualifications to participate and no pre-registration needed. St. John’s is located a 300 E. 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318.
FREE PRODUCE MARKET
- Pick out food from a variety of options—fresh produce, dry goods, dairy products, and more
- No appointment needed
- Come as often as you want
- No personal information required
- Open to all families
- Food options vary each week
Community Gardens
Many communities offer community garden plots for a small rental fee. Planting a community garden plot allows residents to choose what foods they grow, teach children where food comes from, and participate in physical activity. Check your community’s website or contact your local city office to learn more.
Name | Location | Details |
109 Main Street E. | Call (952) 448-8731 Raised beds (4’x8′) and planter boxes (4’x4′) | |
City Hall 310 Elm Street W. | Call (952) 467-1800 | |
Corner of Kerber Boulevard and Santa Vera Drive, Chanhassen | Call (952) 227-1133 10′ x 10′ plots | |
Various locations throughout the city | Call (952) 442-2615 | |
Off of Lewis Avenue North, near city’s compost site | Call (952) 955-2681 15′ x 20′ plots | |
Co. Rd. 50 and Market Ave, Cologne | Email or call (952) 466-5678 15′ x 30′ plots |
Farmers Markets
Farmers’ markets offer access to healthy and affordable foods grown locally. Farmers’ markets are a great place to find fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods the whole family will enjoy. Check the website for dates and locations.
- Bongards Market (NYA): Wednesdays, June – September, 3-6pm
- Carver Farmers Market: Tuesdays, July – September, 3-6pm
- Chanhassen Farmers Market: Saturdays, June – September, 9am-1pm
- Downtown Chaska Farmers’ Market: Wednesdays, June – September, 3-6pm
- Victoria’s Farmers Market: Thursdays, July – September, 3-6pm
Market Bucks for SNAP/EBT Recipients
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal food assistance program. Recipients of SNAP can double their SNAP/EBT purchases at participating farmers’ markets through the Market Bucks program. Spend $10 at the market on your EBT card and get $10 free every time you shop! Find participating locations here.
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