Summer is right around the corner, which means kids are at home, and are hungry. Where can families get affordable and healthy food? We are fortunate in the Farmington area to have a lot of great, affordable, healthy food options easily accessible during the summer months, and beyond. See below for a list of resources, links and short descriptions of just a sampling of some of the food sources in our area, besides the standard grocery store.
Local Food Sources
*Farmer’s Markets- An opportunity for local farmers to sell their fruits, vegetables and homemade foods directly to the customer.
Farmington Farmer’s Market
Farmington Mall Parking Lot, 923 8th Street
Thursday’s 2:30p – 6:30p
May - October
Lakeville Farmer's Market
20851 Holyoke, Downtown Lakeville
Wednesday's,12p-5p
June 13- October 31
EBT Accepted.
Lakeville Farmer's Market
Corner of Holyoke & 210th St.
Saturday's, 9a-1p
June 23 -September 9
Apple Valley Farmer's Market
Corner of County Road 42 and Galaxy Avenue, near City Hall
Saturday's, 8a-1p
June 9- October 27
Rosemount Farmer's Market
13885 S Robert Trail, in the Community Center Parking Lot
Tuesday's, 1p-5p
June 12- September 25.
Northfield Farmer's Market
Riverside Park on West 7th Street, Downtown Northfield
Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:45a - 1p
Saturdays, 9a-11am
*Community Supported Agriculture Shares (CSA’s)- a program where “shareholders” or consumers pay in advance for a "share" of what the farm produces in a growing season, then they receive a portion of each week’s harvest. The relationship provides farmers with much needed capital at the beginning of the growing season and shareholders know who is growing their food (and how), and in some sense, have a farm to call their own.
Click here to learn more about CSA’s.
Click here to search for a CSA grower in your area.
Free/Low Cost Food Sources- resources that are available to community members who might need an extra boost during challenging times. Click on the sites below to learn more about each organization.
360 Communities
Provides a network of five Emergency Food Shelves and two Family Resource Centers to offer immediate aid to individuals and families and give them access to resources to help them reach long-term self-sufficiency.
https://www.360communities.org/
Fare for All
Is a great way to save money on quality, nutritious food. We buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and frozen meat in bulk to save you up to 40% off grocery store prices. We select the best food from our shipments, pre-packaging it to give you the greatest deals. Fare For All is community supported and open to everyone. The more people who participate, the better.
Fare For All has thirty locations in the greater Twin Cities metro area where our food packages are sold once a month. All our locations are cash and carry – there is no need to register in advance. Click here to find the location closest to you or click here to see what sales are coming up this week.
Crossroads Church
On the first Saturday of the month, they give away free groceries to those in need.
Inver Grove Heights Campus
5590 Babcock Trail
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
http://www.crossroadschurch.org/events/
Open Door Pantry
Assists thousands of local individuals each month through a variety of programs designed to connect those in need with fresh, nutritious food options
The Open Door Mobile Pantry® Center
14757 Energy Way, Apple Valley
Client Appointment Line: 651-686-0787
https://theopendoorpantry.org/
Sponsored by the Farmington Schools Wellness Committee and Supported by the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, Minnesota Department of Health and Dakota County Public Health Department