Food resources in Eden Prairie

Everyone has to eat, but food prices can be challenging. According to statistics from PROP Food Shelf, food shelf usage this year is up by 25 percent in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen. Grocery prices have risen. 

March 2023 is the 42nd year that food shelves like PROP are participating in Minnesota Foodshare. During the state’s largest grassroots food and fund drive (Feb. 27- April 9), all food and financial gifts to food shelves like PROP are matched by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches.

In addition to asking for monetary donations, which can be made online or by check, PROP is also asking for donations of food items such as protein beans (black or kidney), canned tuna, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, pasta, canned fruit, cereal and bar soap. Those items can be dropped off at the green door on the west side of the PROP Food Shelf building at 14700 Martin Drive between 3-6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on other weekdays. The food donations will help stock the shelves of the food pantry.

PROP’s food programs are among several free and low-cost food options offered in and around Eden Prairie. Many are open to anyone who is looking to stretch their grocery budget. The next section of this article is an alphabetical list of local pop-up grocery stores and food distribution programs, along with information on who’s eligible to participate, what they offer, and the cost.

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Fare for All

Program Name: Fare for All (a program of The Food Group)
Who’s eligible to participate: Everyone.
Where: The two distribution locations closest to Eden Prairie are Crown of Glory Lutheran Church in Chaska (1141 Cardinal St., Chaska) and Creekside Community Center in Bloomington (9801 Penn Ave S., Bloomington).
When: Fourth Thursday of the month from 4-6 p.m. in Chaska (dates change in November and December); third Friday of the month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Bloomington (date change in September).
Cost: $10 for Produce Pack; $11 for Mini Meat Pack; $25 for Mega Meat Pack; $35 for Holiday Pack; Hot Buy pricing varies.
What they offer: A pop-up grocery store offering Produce Packs (box containing 2-3 fresh fruits and 3-4 fresh vegetables), Mini Meat Packs (box containing 3-5 frozen meat items; no pork), Mega Meat Packs (box containing 6-8 frozen meat items such as chicken, turkey, pork, beef, or fish); monthly “Hot Buy” specials; and Holiday Packs available in November and December (turkey in November and ham in December, plus protein and veggie sides, and dessert).

Hunger Free Campus

Program Name: Hennepin Tech Hunger Free Campus (program partners: Good in the ‘Hood and The Food Group).
Who’s eligible to participate: Everyone is eligible to participate, including students (both full- and part-time), faculty, staff, and community members.
Where: Auditorium foyer on the Eden Prairie campus of Hennepin Technical College (13100 College View Drive).
When: First Tuesday of the month, 2 to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free; items distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
What they offer: Food distribution occurs via a market or choice style model where participants “shop” and choose their own food from a selection of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, dairy, grains, and/or shelf-stable foods that are available. 

Meals on Wheels

Program Name: Bloomington-Eden Prairie Meals on Wheels.
Who’s eligible to participate: Anyone living in Eden Prairie or Bloomington who is unable to shop or prepare meals for short- or long-term needs; no age restrictions.
Where: Meals delivered to homes by volunteer drivers.
When: Delivered between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; frozen weekend meals that can be heated in a microwave are delivered with Friday meal delivery. Clients can choose how many days a week they would like meals. 
Cost: $5 per meal. 
What they offer: Meals which include an entree, vegetable, bread or grain, fruit or dessert, and milk or juice. All menu items meet dietary guidelines for low sodium and are diabetic-friendly. Dairy-free, vegetarian, gluten-free, renal, mechanical soft and puree meal options are also available.

NAPS (Nutritional Assistance for Seniors)

Program Name: NAPS (Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors), which is Minnesota’s implementation of the Community Supplemental Foods Program. The United States Department of Agriculture administers the program.
Who’s eligible to participate: Low-income seniors age 60 and over. Register online at Second Harvest Heartland or call them at 651-484-8241.
Where: PROP (14700 Martin Drive) serves as a satellite distribution center for the program.
When: Once per month.
Cost: Free.
What they offer: Participants receive a food package; contents depend on their nutritional needs as determined by the USDA. Packages may include canned fruits, vegetables and juices, dry milk, American cheese, canned meat, peanut butter or dried beans, cereal, rice, or pasta. 

PROP Food Mart

Program Name: PROP Food Mart.
Who’s eligible to participate: Eden Prairie and Chanhassen residents who are self-declared in need of food. 
Where: Shopping inside the Food Mart food shelf or curbside delivery at PROP (14700 Martin Drive), or home delivery for clients without transportation. Food Mart doors are on the north side of the PROP building with a large green awning. 
When: By appointment (call 952-937-9120 to schedule); generally two times per month per household
Cost: Free.
What they offer: A choice model food shelf, where participants choose the types of food they want. Quantity is based on family size. Food includes essential items to stock a kitchen pantry, such as pasta, beans, breakfast goods, baking goods, boxed meals, and canned goods, as well as perishable items such as milk, eggs, and meat. 

Ruby’s Pantry

Program Name: Ruby’s Pantry.
Who’s eligible to participate: Everyone; no income or residency requirements
Where: Grace Church (9301 Eden Prairie Road) in Eden Prairie.
When: First Thursday of the month; registration at 5 p.m., food bundles available from 5-6:30 p.m. (Find additional locations and dates on the website.)
Cost: $25 donation.
What they offer: Those who attend a “Pop-Up Pantry” distribution event receive what’s described as a “generous food bundle” that could include items such as meat, dairy, frozen food, canned goods, pantry items, condiments, paper products and more. A sample list of current contents is posted weekly on the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rubyspantryorg.

Senior Mobile Food Delivery

Program Name: Senior Mobile Food Delivery Program (offered through PROP).
Who’s eligible to participate: Homebound seniors in Eden Prairie or Chanhassen approved by PROP’s case management team. Call 952-937-9120 for more information.
Where: Delivered to homes.
When: Once per month.
Cost: Free.
What they offer: Selected groceries are available for pre-order. 

Summer Food for Kids

Program Name: Summer Food for Kids (offered through PROP).
Who’s eligible to participate: Families with children ages birth through 18
Where: PROP (14700 Martin Drive).
When: June through August.
Cost: Free.
What they offer: Families with children automatically receive extra food with their regular PROP food orders during this timeframe (no registration required). Families can choose the extra food items from a PROP-prepared list which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and sandwich meat, pasta, cereal, canned meat and other protein-rich snacks. 

Weekend Food For Kids

Program Name: Eden Prairie Schools Weekend Food for Kids (program partner: Every Meal).
Who’s eligible to participate: All Eden Prairie Schools families, including TASSEL (Teaching All Students Skills for Employment and Life) Transition Program for 18-21-year-old special education students.
Where: Outside Door 4 of Historic Gym at Eden Prairie Schools Administrative Services Center (8100 School Road).
When: Thursday evenings from 4-6 p.m. and Friday mornings from 8-10 a.m. during the school year.
Cost: Free for all Eden Prairie Schools families, including TASSEL students.
What they offer: One food bag per child containing 4-5 pounds of nonperishable meal ingredients or ready-to-eat items, including a variety of canned fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and soups/entrees. Families may choose from five food bag options: Blue Bag, tailored for East African dietary preferences (no pork); Orange Bag, tailored for Latino dietary preferences; Purple Bag, tailored for Southeast Asian dietary preferences; Yellow Bag, ready-to-eat items requiring little or no preparation; Green Bag, the widest variety of food items (not intended to serve any specific dietary preferences).