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Minneapolis organizations provide food aid: How you can help |
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Civil Eats has compiled and vetted a list of Minneapolis organizations bringing food and assistance to protect the safety of residents. The information provided by Civil Eats includes links to background on each featured organization as well as ways to donate. |
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Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy shares Minnesota resources |
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| The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, based in Minneapolis, has shared resources including links to organizations and mutual aid fundraisers that are providing groceries, legal support, and rent aid to those most impacted by ongoing ICE activity in Minnesota. For more information, please see the IATP website.
In addition, IATP’s Ben Lilliston has addressed the USDA funding freeze in Minnesota in an article that can be viewed here. |
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Center Program Team prepares for expanded reach with new staff roles |
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The Center’s Program Team has kicked off the new year with new roles for two staff members: Jon Polley has been promoted to Senior Program Manager, and Vy Pham has been promoted to Senior Analyst.
Jon’s unique perspective and thoughtful approach to integrating analysis and action have built up the Center’s ability to support institutional impact. As Senior Program Manager, Jon will work closely with our incoming Michigan Impact Manager to implement the Good Food for Michigan project with our collaborating partners.
Vy’s clear vision and skillful management of data integrity have allowed the Center to strengthen partner relationships and make strides in improving assessment efficacy. In addition to continued support of established GFPP partners, Vy will oversee analytics work for the Good Food for Michigan project. |
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| EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act: One to watch |
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| In an overview of Farm Bill-related proposals to watch in 2026, Civil Eats has highlighted the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act among marker bills remaining important to farm groups.
Supported by groups including the Center and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act requires the USDA to weigh factors including environmental sustainability, social and racial equity, worker wellbeing, and animal welfare in federal food purchasing, and helps smaller farms and food companies meet requirements to become USDA vendors. The EFFECTIVE Act was introduced by Senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and several co-sponsors in the Senate, and Representative Alma Adams (D-North Carolina) and several co-sponsors in the House.
For the full list of 10 Farm Bill Proposals to Watch in 2026, see the Jan. 5, 2026, article from Civil Eats. |
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| | | | | | Check our Policy Page for updates on issues
related to Good Food policies and legislation. |
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Inside the GFPP Ecosystem: Updates, New Resources & Upcoming Events |
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Local Farms and Food Businesses Receive Nearly $700,000 in Grants to Help Make Metro Chicago Food System More Equitable |
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| Cook County Department of Public Health, Jan. 20, 2026 |
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| “The Chicago Food Policy Action Council and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) are delighted to announce the awardees of the third annual Metro Chicago Good Food Purchasing Initiative (GFPI) Community Fund. The finalists have been awarded nearly $700,000 in grant funding to advance equity in the local food system by funding underserved farmers and food businesses within 250 miles of Chicago to increase healthy food access while also building local economies and promoting sustainable, humane, and fair labor practices.
“Fifteen local farms and food businesses in the metro Chicago area were selected from more than 100 applicants to receive grants ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 each. Seven of these awardees are based in suburban Cook County. In addition to the awarded funds, these local farmers and food business owners will receive technical assistance to support increasing the availability of local produce and food products aligned with the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP). They will also work toward selling their products to large public and private institutions – such as health care systems, schools, and senior living centers – and community meal sites, including food pantries and public meal programs.
“‘Local leadership matters now more than ever. Cook County is showing what’s possible when local governments partner with community organizations and philanthropy on food and health.’ said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer at Cook County Department of Public Health.” |
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TEXAS 20 Purchasing Cooperative explores local foods bid to connect vendors and schools |
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To better support its regional economies and provide students with local options, the TEXAS 20 Purchasing Cooperative, a group offering procurement services for more than 130 school food service programs across Texas, has announced the development of a local foods bid. TEXAS 20 will start with local beef and chicken products with the goal of eventually opening the door for even more homegrown products to reach schools. The group will be sending out a survey to all members to determine interest, regions, and to obtain valuable feedback on potential vendors to invite to bid. The purchasing cooperative plans to use input to develop a bid that can become accessible for local businesses to join its network of awarded vendors.
For more information, see the TEXAS 20 Purchasing Cooperative website. |
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| | “We’re excited to announce a multi-year partnership between the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center and the NYC Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture! Together, we’ll collaborate on research, strategic initiatives, student and community engagement, and public education to strengthen urban agriculture and food policy in New York City and beyond. Stay tuned for more!” |
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| | | “The state’s [Hawaii] plan to transform school lunch operations reaches a major milestone later this month. On Jan. 29, construction begins on a $150 million regional kitchen project in Central Oahu’s Whitmore Village.
“…Anneliese Tanner, a school food program administrator, said the larger facility will make it easier to incorporate more local ingredients while also supporting students’ connection to Hawaii.” |
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Center for Science in the Public Interest Resource Hub Series Sustainable Food Systems: Improving Health for People and the Planet Wednesday, Feb. 4 |
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| “Join CSPI's Anupama Joshi, MS (Vice President of Programs) and Sara Ribakove, MBA (Food and Environment Campaign Manager) for a webinar titled ‘Sustainable Food Systems: Improving Health for People and the Planet.’ This interactive session will share CSPI's approach to incorporating an environmental lens to nutrition policies and priorities and will offer you a platform to share your activities in this area as we collectively explore ways to learn and drive measurable impact across the food system.” |
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Call for Vendors: 2026 Chicago Food Justice Summit Priority consideration for applications received by Feb. 5 |
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The Chicago Food Policy Action Council is inviting mission-aligned businesses, cooperatives, and organizations to apply to virtually and/or in person table at the 21st Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit, taking place March 11–13, 2026. In person and virtual tabling opportunities include: The opportunity to connect one on one with 1600+ passionate food justice advocates A place to showcase products/services offered and make sales Virtually, a space where attendees can request to meet with you to discuss your products or services A place to share discounts, codes, or sales information Have your website and contact information on display for all 3 days of the summit
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