On any given day, on in eight children (162,500) in Minnesota are at risk of hunger. The Cargill Foundation chose this pressing social issue in Minnesota as a priority because a stable, nutritious diet is proven to be a necessary foundation for children's health, growth, learning and success.

In 2019, the Cargill Foundation distributed $10 million to nonprofits in the Twin Cities, partnering with several Twin Cities organizations to minimize the opportunity gap for low income children and advance childhood nutrition.

"As a global food and agriculture company based in Minnesota, our employees across nations work to nourish the world in a safe and responsible way. Nutrition is at the core of what we do," said Michelle Grogg, vice president global corporate responsibility and executive director of the Cargill Foundation. "We bring that same focus on nutrition to the Twin Cities through our funding and partnerships. This year, we specifically focused on childhood nutrition and food justice, supporting organizations that grow healthy foods, educate children and families on food choices and increase access to nutritious foods for children in low income households across the Twin Cities."

The Cargill Foundation partnered with a number of local organizations this year including the following: 

Appetite for Change works to offer children the opportunity to grow nutritious food. In urban gardens in North Minneapolis, children plant seedlings, harvest that produce and then eat the nutritious foods. If there is a surplus, they sell the produce at the local farmers market.
 
Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Youth & Teen Enrichment Center educates children on the importance of making healthy food choices. Through the Cargill Teaching Kitchen, children are given the opportunity to take hands on cooking classes to learn how to prepare and eat nutritious foods and bring food and recipes home to share with their family and caregivers.
 
Twin Cities Mobile Market works to provide access to healthy produce options. The Wilder Foundation's Twin Cities Mobile Market is a city bus converted into a grocery store, bringing affordable and fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, grains and other high-quality groceries directly into neighborhoods in the Twin Cities who do not have easy access to these nutritious foods.
 
"We're thrilled to provide families with even greater access to healthy, affordable food. Thanks to Cargill's support, we are able to eliminate many of the barriers that prevent families from putting fresh fruits and vegetables on the table," said Leah Porter, director of the Twin Cities Mobile Market.