Colleen Moriarty, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota, to Retire March 1
Leaves behind legacy of activism and advocating in the hunger relief space
Following a long career of public service and leadership, Colleen Moriarty, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota announced her retirement, effective March 1, 2024.
Colleen has led the Hunger Solutions team for the last twenty years. She’s been on a mission to fight shame and hunger in the lunchroom, increase access to healthy, fresh and nutritious food for all Minnesotans and support funding and impact for the state’s poverty programs for the majority of her career. Colleen has seen the devastating effects that poverty, and more specifically hunger, has on Minnesota families and children, and her approach to addressing this was understanding that basic needs must be met before families can succeed.
Her commitment to and diligence in the hunger-relief space has been admired by many, including Minnesota’s Governor.
“Colleen Moriarty has dedicated her career to fighting food insecurity and serving Minnesota’s children and families. She was a champion for getting universal school meals across the finish line, and it’s been an honor to work alongside her as we fight to make Minnesota the best state for kids,” said Governor Tim Walz. “Minnesotans are better off thanks to her tireless advocacy, and I wish her all the best in her retirement.”
As Hunger Solutions Minnesota’s Executive Director and the chair of Minnesota Partners to End Hunger, she works to motivate decision-makers to take supportive action on state and national hunger policy issues.
Legislative highlights from Colleen’s career at Hunger Solutions include:
- School meals for all – 2023
- Secured $5 million in Emergency funding for Minnesota food shelves – 2023
- Led a bill to eliminate Lunch Shaming in 2019
- Secured funding for the Market bucks program since 2015
- Received National Award for Innovative Anti-Hunger Work from the Food Research Action Center (FRAC) – 2017
- Secured $2 million in funding for mobile food shelves in 2015
“It has been an honor to work with Colleen as a friend and partner for many years in the fight to end food insecurity and witness the incredible impact she has made on families across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Colleen has been selflessly dedicated to making Minnesota a better, healthier, more equitable state throughout her entire career, and Minnesotans will benefit from Colleen’s dedication and work for generations to come. Every time I walk into a school lunchroom and see children eating with their friends, I think of Colleen and am grateful for her leadership and tenacity to ensure all students have full bellies.”
Approach to Support
Throughout Colleen’s time at Hunger Solutions, she worked diligently to ensure those the organization served were heard and able to truly see the impact of hunger-related services. To do so, she implemented the Minnesota Food HelpLine, which is the only statewide hunger relief service.
“Colleen has always demonstrated her commitment to public service and improving the community,” said John F. Lansing, President and CEO of NPR. “She is an amazing force for positivity, and moral clarity in a world where that has never been more important.”
Earlier Career
Before her current leadership role at Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Colleen served as the Chief of Staff to Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton through her second term, was the Executive Director of the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, and was elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 2002 and served through 2006. She was also the Department Head at KARE 11, where she organized the Health Fair 11 program
John F. Lansing, President and CEO of NPR: “Colleen has always demonstrated her commitment to public service and improving the community. She is an amazing force for positivity, and moral clarity in a world where that has never been more important.”
Dom Korbel, Executive Director of Community Pathways of Steele County: “If you want to see what passion, commitment, and impact look like in the real world just take a moment to chat with Colleen. Her unwavering focus and dedication to help each of us on the front lines take the worry of food off the list for thousands of MN families is humbling. Not one of us can do this work alone, we need partners who believe even in us, always have our back and will never back down from a fight when it comes to battling hunger across our great state. As the leader of Hunger Solutions that is exactly what Colleen has been for us, a relentless partner that makes what we do possible.”
Jim Koppel, Former Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund: Colleen has dedicated her career to ending hunger. There is not a more fierce advocate at the state or national level and the results have benefited millions of children and families!
Crystal FitzSimmons, Director of School and Out-of-School Time Programs at FRAC: Colleen Moriarity is an incredible anti-hunger champion and a national leader. She never gives up and has made a positive difference for people in Minnesota and across the nation. I feel incredibly lucky that I have been able to collaborate and learn from her during her tenure at Hunger Solutions Minnesota and will miss her.
Rep. Sydney Jordan MN 60A: Without the work of Colleen Moriarty, we would not have universal school meals in Minnesota. Her tireless work ethic and commitment to service have been an inspiration to me throughout my career. Colleen’s work has strengthened our democracy, built strong communities, and touched everyone in our state. Because of her, every family in Minnesota can count on their child being fed and ready to learn at school. I cannot thank her enough for her service.
Sharon Sayles Belton, Former Mayor of Minneapolis: “Colleen Moriarty has dedicated her public career to helping families and children. She has been a tireless advocate for strengthening the food shelf network across the state of Minnesota and her work has been recognized by the federal government. Thanks to Colleen’s advocacy children across the state will have free access to a healthy breakfast and lunch. This will improve children’s health and improve their readiness to learn.”