FFEN - Foundation for Essential Needs

06/02/2026

Attention Food Shelf leaders - we are offering two free virtual training opportunities in the coming weeks!

FRESH FOOD FIRST: Optimizing Food Shelf Operations is designed for those managing the day-to-day responsibilities of a food shelf, providing actionable guidance to improve efficiency and impact. Join us at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 9. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bcA2RJZXSFadlS3n2qN_Lw #/registration

PRODUCE POSSIBLE: Fresh Ideas for Food Shelves
As Minnesota's growing season begins, explore creative and practical strategies for getting more fresh produce into the hands of shoppers. Together, we’ll discuss innovative sourcing partnerships, distribution approaches, shopper engagement ideas, and operational practices that can help increase access while reducing barriers and food waste. This conversation is designed to spark ideas, share peer wisdom, and highlight real-world strategies being used by food shelves and community partners.

Join us at 11:30 a.m. June 23, Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XcmVhUJZShCAWPlHLejg9w #/registration

05/22/2026

Thank you to our partners at Sovran, Inc. for sponsoring this year's Reshaping Hunger Relief Breakfast.

05/21/2026

Faegre Drinker has been a long-time sponsor of FFEN's Reshaping Hunger Relief Breakfast. Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening food shelves in communities across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

05/19/2026

Thank you to Land O'Lakes, Inc. for support of this year's Reshaping Hunger Relief Breakfast. Land O'Lakes, Inc. said by investing in FFEN they are able to impact hundreds of food shelves across the state. The impact of FFEN’s work includes large, community center-based food shelves as well as those in small towns run solely by volunteers.

“Rural communities are especially important to Land O’Lakes, a farmer-owned cooperative,” said Amy Podlesak, senior community impact manager with Land O'Lakes Inc. “FFEN’s work is especially important to rural food shelf leaders, who might feel more isolated.”

“We want to be sure those food shelves feel supported. We want them to have an organization to go to for questions and have a network they can tap into so they don’t feel alone in facing the challenges they might have.”

05/18/2026

Are you a food shelf leader looking for ways to build a budget that supports day-to-day operations as well as long-term impact?

FFEN is hosting Project Budgeting for Nonprofits (with Propel Nonprofits) and we'd love for you to join us for this free session!

Explore practical approaches to project-based budgeting. This training will help you better understand how to align program goals with financial planning, manage resources effectively, and build budgets.

Strong budgeting practices are essential for sustainable programs and effective decision-making.

Register now for this training which will be held:
May 26, 2026
11:30am–1:00pm CST

Sustain & Nourish is a monthly virtual session designed for staff and volunteers leading the day-to-day work of a food shelf. Each session focuses on a timely topic impacting food shelves across Minnesota and provides practical tools, insights, and peer support to strengthen shopper-focused operatio...

05/16/2026

Check out this Newsweek article where FFEN contributes as a Minnesota source and thought leader outlining the very real impacts of SNAP changes on food shelves.

SNAP participation is dropping nationwide. Food banks may not be able to pick up those who have fallen off the program.

05/15/2026

Yesterday, we gathered around the breakfast table believing that food matters — that it connects us — and FFEN supporters showed up in a big way. Together, we exceeded our $32,500 match and raised over $90,000 to ensure food shelves have the data, support, and trusted partnership they need to offer every community member fresh, culturally connected food with choice and dignity.

FFEN's services continue to be offered at NO COST to food shelves across Minnesota and western Wisconsin — and that's because of people who genuinely believe in this work. Thank you for your support!

Thank you to our coffee conversationalists for sharing the hard work happening in hunger relief and how their connection to FFEN is bettering food shelf service to their communities: Ethan Neal, Director of Partner Operations at Second Harvest Heartland, Sharon Abel, Executive Director of Groveland Emergency Food Shelf and Cindy Favre, Director of St. Peter Area Food Shelf

This event wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Land O'Lakes, Inc., Faegre Drinker and Sovran, Inc.

05/08/2026

New Workshop Opportunity!
Food shelf leaders — want practical tools for making food sourcing decisions?
Join FFEN on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 (11:30 AM–1:00 PM) for Prioritizing Foods for Greater Impact. This free virtual session will walk you through the whys and hows of prioritization and help you begin building a prioritization plan for your food shelf.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HaUsA391Rc6o26G8-32Qwg #/registration

05/05/2026

We saved you a seat at the table! Have you been thinking about joining us? RSVPs are due tomorrow by Noon for this year's Reshaping Hunger Relief Breakfast. https://ffen.org/reshaping-hunger-relief-breakfast/

04/28/2026

Food shelf leaders, reminder that today we're exploring what it means to lead with abundance in a time of rising demand, tighter budgets and stretched teams.
Register now to join us at 11:30 a.m. and you'll walk away with:
* Practical tools like the Reframing Matrix
* Real examples from food shelf leaders
* Space for reflection, peer conversation, and hands-on practice
This session is for leaders who want to reduce overwhelm, strengthen dignity in their organizations, and build stability — even under pressure.
Join us at 11:30 a.m. April 28 for this free session. Register now at: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../XcmVhUJZShCAWPlHLejg9w...