Food shelf use by people in our community is an unfortunate and necessary reality. Our most vulnerable populations - children and the elderly - are primary beneficiaries of these programs. In the Northfield area 64% of food shelf households have children under age 18, while 25% house senior citizens. Food shelves are now a fixture in the human services safety net everywhere, including our local community.

Sustaining Food Shelf

It is difficult to imagine our community without a Sustaining Food Shelf Program. Since 1985, a monthly opportunity has existed for people in need to receive additional food for their families. Currently, about 240 local families share about 19,000 pounds of food each month, generously donated to the CAC from individuals, churches, business or bought with money given for that effort.

Food Shelf-Canned Goods

The CAC goal is to provide high quality, nutritious food to people. The Food Shelf stocks commercially prepared, non-perishable food including, but not limited to: Fruits and Vegetables — canned; Soup, Pasta and Tomato Sauce, Rice, Milk — powered and canned, Macaroni and Cheese, Peanut Butter, Canned Meat — Tuna, Baby food & Baby formula. The food shelf also stocks non-food items such as toilet paper, diapers, detergent and soap.

Certified recipients pick up a 7 day supply of groceries once a month. The food varies in type, but the focus is always on food that offers good nutrition. There is no charge.

Participants apply for this program at the Community Action Center office at the address in the banner above. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with extended hours on Thursday until 7:00 p.m. See Income and Residency for eligibility requirements.

Food Shelf hours are Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday mornings from 9:00a.m. - 12:00 noon, and Thursdays from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m.

Emergency Food

When a sudden crisis affects an individual or family–such as the abrupt movement out of a family, conflict or domestic abuse situation–their access to the basic necessities of life are hindered. Therefore, the CAC assists in obtaining not only temporary shelter but also emergency food stores to sustain the participants until they can regain their footing.

Grocery Vouchers

The CAC provides some financial assistance for eligible households needing help with purchasing food. The program offers vouchers for different amounts to people in need. See Income and Residency for eligibility requirements.

Food Delivery

For those who are inhibited by physical ailments or disabilities, we provide a food delivery service. Those who qualify to receive food shelf donations are given the option to have their food delivered if the need for such a service is determined. The most common participants in this program are the elderly over 65 and those with physical disabilities.

(NAPS)

In addition to using the CAC Sustaining Food Shelf, senior citizens living at or below 130% of the poverty level are eligible for NAPS (Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors). This program is administered through the Minnesota Department of Health and is a supplemental food program which provides nutritional food packages to senior citizens on a monthly basis.

Senior citizen’s can certify for the NAPS program the same way they certify to use the CAC Food Shelf. Click here for income and residence requirements.

(MAC)

In addition to using the CAC Sustaining Food Shelf, mothers with children under the age of 6 and at or below 185% of the poverty level and are not currently receiving WIC are eligible for MAC (Mothers and Children). This program is for Children up to age 6, Women who have a baby under one year but are not breast feeding, Nursing mothers and Pregnant women. This program is administered through the Minnesota Department of Health and is a supplemental food program which provides:

Fruits, vegetables and juices
Milk (dry or evaporated)
Meat, egg mix, dry beans and peanut butter
Cereal and rice, instant potatoes or pasta
Bonus items like honey, oatmeal and grits, when available
Infant cereal and formula

To register for this program, bring to the CAC your child or proof of his/her birth. You can certify the same way as you would to use the CAC Food Shelf.

Holiday Food Distribution

The CAC distributes gift certificates to certified households that use the Food Shelf during the months of November and December. The size of the gift certificate depends on the size of the household. The certificates are redeemable at two local grocery stores. Gift certificates allow families to choose what type of foods they want over the holidays.

Food Donations

Hunger in a community affects everyone. When members of a community work together, the nourishment received goes far beyond food. Together, we can and we are making a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors in the community.

The Northfield CAC Food Shelf program accepts donations of food and money year round. During the month of March each year the CAC participates in the state-wide Minnesota FoodShare Campaign drive and churches, community service groups, school students, businesses and other groups creatively collect money and food. In 2006, the CAC collected $72,019 in dollars and 22,455 pounds of food!

The CAC is a member of our regional Second harvest Food Bank, which is an organization that accepts huge quantities of donated food from corporations and commodities from the Federal government and warehouses it for food shelves. The CAC is able to stretch donated dollars very far by purchasing food from the food bank. Many items can be purchased for 14 cents per pound and government commodities are only 8 cents per pound. This means the CAC can purchase 12/16 oz. cans of fruit or 6/32 oz. bags of rice for only $1.00!

Food Shelf - Most Needed Items

Canned Fruit
Peanut Butter
Tuna or Canned Meat
Soup, Rice, Pasta
Meal Helpers
Spaghetti Sauce
Dry or Canned Beans
Granola, Fruit or Snack Bars
Tomato Sauce
Canned Vegetables
Baby Food & Formula
Diapers
Paper Products

The Malt-O-Meal Company generously donates all the breakfast cereal needed by the program.
Thank You!!

Learn more about how you can donate to the CAC �