Hunger A Growing Problem for Families in Twin Cities Most Affluent Suburbs

For Immediate Release June 06, 2006

Hunger Solutions Minnesota Report Finds Increases as High as 541 Percent in Food Shelf and Meal Program Usage in Western Metro Communities.

Minnetonka, MN – The use of food shelves and on-site meal programs increased much faster in the Twin Cities’ traditionally-affluent western suburbs than it did in the rest of the state — going up 541 percent in one community — according to a report released today by Hunger Solutions Minnesota.

The report, based on surveys of thousands of Minnesotans who used food shelves and on-site meal programs to feed their families in 2005, found that compared to 2000, the number of families using these programs grew by an average of 80 percent in West Metro communities, compared to just 45 percent state-wide.

The suburbs tallying the largest increases include: Eden Prairie’s PROP Food Shelf (541 percent,) ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka (352 percent,) Community Church Food Shelf in Maple Plain (299 percent,) CEAP Food Shelf in Brooklyn Park (120 percent,) and CROSS Food Shelf in Rogers (107 percent).

“We are seeing a change in the demographic of people using these services. There is a certain irony that Minnesota’s traditionally affluent communities are seeing the greatest increases in the number of people using emergency feeding programs.” said Colleen Moriarty, Director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota. “I think this study exposes the hidden face of hunger.”

The report, entitled “The State of Hunger in Minnesota,” found that while the average hourly wage of West Metro food shelf clients has increased 12 percent in the past five years, a 20 percent increase in housing has left families struggling to pay the bills. The result is that far more suburban families are relying on food shelves and on-site feeding programs to get by.

While Ramsey and Dakota Counties saw similar increases in the number of people receiving groceries from emergency food programs (69 and 56 percent respectively) the city of Minneapolis remained stable, increasing services just 2 percent in the past five years.

“The study points to the dramatic impact of the increases of health care, transportation, and housing have had on working families,” said Moriarty, “Poor people don’t just live in cities. They live on farms, they live in affluent suburbs. They may be your next door neighbor.”

Leaders At All Levels of Government Concerned

The report was released at the (ICA) Food Shelf in Minnetonka. Leaders from all levels of government were on hand to discuss the reports findings, including U.S, Representative Jim Ramstad, State Representative Karen Clark, Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Koblick and
Minnetonka Mayor Jan Callison.

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Media Contact: Emily Belland, Hunger Solutions EBelland@hungersolutions.org; 651-486-9860 ext. 208