When we became Second Harvest Northland, we set our sights on ensuring a better amount and variety of food for our agency and community partners (food shelves, on-site meal programs, and tribal organizations) and neighbors experiencing hunger throughout our 15-county NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin service region.

We’re happy to report that thanks to your generous support and continued belief in our organization, we accomplished this important goal and distributed 4% more food, or 370,000 additional meals.

As a testament to the goal you helped us accomplish, Mark, Cuyuna Range Food Shelf, Crosby, MN, shares, “Thank you so much for your work in gaining a larger selection of products for our food shelf. It is greatly appreciated.” 

As your region’s only “food bank,” you support our distribution of nationally and regionally donated and purchased product to over 60 regional food shelves. In fact, 75% of our product goes to these important partners, and as much as 90% of the food they distribute in your local communities comes from us.

As we continue to work toward our vision of a hunger-free Northland, we’re putting the final touches on a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment. We’ll identify where we can best invest together to ensure even more nutritious food and equitable access for families, children and seniors in our Northland communities.

Kelly is the mother of four growing teenage boys. She works hard to ensure their fridge is stocked so her boys can fully participate in their many activities. As the cost of groceries continues to increase, she’s found our drive-through Food Shelf Program at our new Duluth facility especially helpful. “It’s hard to get through the week,” she shares. “I appreciate the food I get from you. I make meals so our food can stretch even further.”

Our new facility’s impact reaches well beyond Duluth, providing a critical food supply to over 70,000 neighbors, 300 agency and community partners, and our own direct service programs throughout our 15-county NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin region.

Its 86,000 square feet of space includes the recent construction of our $4.2 million, 13,600 square foot freezer and cooler, which is increasing our distribution of our neighbors’ top 3 desired foods – fresh produce, dairy and meat/fish/poultry. While we’ve made considerable progress toward our $20 million Nourish the Northland Capital Campaign, additional investments are needed to complete this important facility renovation and construction project for neighbors like Kelly. “I feel welcomed and your new facility works so well,” she shares. “I’m grateful your program is here and available to us when needed.”

From now through June 30, 2025, individual, corporate and volunteer gifts to our Nourish the Northland Capital Campaign are being matched by Karen and Royal Alworth, The Miner Family and Miner’s Inc., Super One Foods, and an anonymous volunteer.