These changes are guided directly by feedback from our neighbors.

In the summer of 2025, 287 SACA neighbors participated in the Minnesota Food Shelf Shopper Survey, giving us valuable insight into how families use the food shelf and what they need most.¹

Across the survey, neighbors consistently told us they want:

• More access to food throughout the month

• More fresh and nutritious options

• Foods that reflect the needs of our diverse community

Many neighbors shared that the food shelf is an important resource but does not provide all of the food their household needs. Most families rely on multiple sources of food throughout the month.²

Neighbors also told us the foods most important to their families are fresh fruits and vegetables, meat or other protein, eggs, and dairy.³ However, survey results also show that these foods were not always consistently available, especially protein, dairy, and eggs.⁴

Through SACA’s food rescue partnerships, we receive a large amount of fresh produce that needs to move quickly so it reaches families while it is still fresh.

Together, these insights helped guide new Community Market concept, which is inspired by the Today’s Harvest Market model.

Introducing SACA’s Community Market

SACA’s Community Market is designed to make the food shelf easier to use and more responsive to how families like to shop.

The Community Market is a fresh-focused food market that requires no appointments and allows neighbors to shop whenever they need food.

Instead of being limited to one visit per month, neighbors can stop by when they need to restock their refrigerator. There will be a smaller offering of dry goods than a traditional food shelf, but there are no limits on how many times neighbors can shop.

Our market offerings will focus on providing access to fresh, nutritious foods, such as:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Dairy products

• Meat or other protein options

• Pantry staples

This market model will allow SACA to serve many more people, move through food rescue faster, and distribute a lot more fresh food to the community.

Additional Ways to Access Food

SACA will continue offering multiple ways for neighbors to receive food including:

Curbside Pickup

Our monthly curbside program invites neighbors to pick up grocery orders from the convenience of their cars. Neighbors will schedule an appointment online and show up at their pick up time. They will be given a menu based on the days selection including a larger quantity of pantry staples, fresh produce, dairy, meat and other essential items such as pet food, diapers, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.

Monthly curbside appointments can be made in addition to the Community Market visits. Curbside boxes are designed to provide a balanced selection of nutritious foods and household essentials to support families throughout the month.

Curbside appointments will be available on Fridays. Hours TBD.

SACA Delivers

SACA Delivers will continue as a monthly grocery delivery service for homebound seniors and people with disabilities. Learn more about that program HERE.

Produce Distributions

Biweekly produce distributions will return during the harvest season! These will continue to be free, drive-through events where we offer bulk produce to the community. Stay tuned for the 2026 dates!

Footnotes

1. 287 SACA neighbors responded to the Minnesota Food Shelf Shopper Survey.

2. 34% of respondents said the food shelf provides less than half of their household’s food, while only 9% said it provides all of their food.

3. Most requested foods included meat or poultry (83%), fresh fruits and vegetables (77%), eggs (72%), and dairy products (69%).

4. Only 37% of shoppers said meat is always available, 35% said fresh produce is always available, 25% said eggs are always available, and 39% said dairy is always available.