[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today visited The Open Door Pantry in Eagan to announce $4 million in new funding for Minnesota food shelves. Funding will provide relief as 440,000 Minnesotans face the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Minesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) grocery benefits beginning November 1. Amid the federal government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that it will not cover food assistance costs, despite the availability of contingency funds.

“Food shelves provide a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. Yet the Trump Administration has chosen to cut off these critical benefits that keep families from going hungry,” said Governor Walz. “But if Washington won’t lead, Minnesota will. This funding will serve as a lifeline to help Minnesotans weather the storm.”

SNAP and MFIP grocery benefits provide vital support for Minnesotans across all 87 Minnesota counties and Tribal Nations. Of the 440,000 Minnesotans accessing SNAP and MFIP benefits, 36% are children, and 18% are seniors.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) expects 300 food shelves and Tribal Nations will receive emergency food support funds to provide coverage across Minnesota and reach families in need of food support. There were almost 9 million visits to food shelves in 2024 alone, which is up from 3.8 million visits in 2021.

“This emergency support is necessary but cannot fill the gap left behind by the loss of SNAP and MFIP benefits,” said DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown. “When food support disappears, the consequences for Minnesota are immediate and far-reaching. It impacts public health, the State and local economies, education, and workforce stability.”

DCYF expects the majority of grant funds will be spent on food purchases. Allowable costs will follow the Minnesota Food Shelf Program statute which says grant funds will be used to purchase, transport, and coordinate the distribution of nutritious food to needy individuals and families.

DCYF is fully operational and providing service to partners and clients before, during, and after the federal shutdown.

Visit https://dcyf.mn.gov/federal-shutdown for updates on the latest federal government shutdown impact to DCYF programs.

Photos from the event can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mngov/.