Minnesota has recorded its fourth consecutive year of record-breaking food shelf visits, with nearly 9 million visits made statewide in 2024, according to The Food Group’s annual report.
Department of Children, Youth, and Family Commissioner Tikki Brown highlighted the staggering increase in demand.
“That is 1.3 million visits more than 2023 and more than two and a half times the visits we saw before the pandemic in 2019.”
Brown also noted that food prices have risen 28% since 2019, adding to the financial strain on families.
Jill Westfall, the Statewide Hunger Data Manager for The Food Group, said rising grocery costs remain the primary reason for increased food shelf use, with prices climbing $28 since 2019.
“That increase has leveled off a little bit through 2024, but we are seeing a slight trend toward increased prices again at the end of 2024 and early 2025.”
Westfall added that the expiration of pandemic-era SNAP benefits—resulting in a $100 monthly reduction per person—has also contributed to the surge in visits.
