Report: COVID-19 pandemic to cause Minnesota hunger surge not seen since Great Depression

A new report released this week reveals Minnesota is expected to see a significant surge in demand for food this fall.

The report, compiled by Second Harvest Heartland and McKinsey & Company, states the upcoming hunger crisis will affect over 700,000 Minnesotans in a situation reportedly not seen since the Great Depression.

According to the report, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly 461,200 Minnesotans didn’t have access to enough nutritious food to have fully healthy lives.

That number is projected to increase by 275,560 in 2020, meaning 736,760 Minnesotans could experience food insecurity this year.

The report states Minnesota, compared with the rest of the United States, is projected to have the second-highest percentage increase in food insecurity this year, with a 60% increase from 2018 to 2020.

Data collected projects the hunger surge will start in July and peak in September.

Second Harvest Heartland reported the upcoming surge could cost the emergency food network roughly $21 million.

"If we don’t get ahead of this jump in hunger, it will deepen and broaden the impact of the pandemic. We must act now," Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland, said in a statement. "(Those) at Second Harvest Heartland are problem-solving with our partners every minute of every day to meet this increasing demand of food, but we will need help."

To meet the projected demand, Second Harvest Heartland reports it will spend an additional $17 million to obtain and distribute 10 million pounds of produce and 11 million pounds of dry goods.

The organization reports encouraging community members to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would also help mitigate the upcoming hunger surge.

Meanwhile, Second Harvest Heartland teamed up with local restaurants to make to-go meals for those who need them.

Learn more about Minnesota Central Kitchen here.

"Despite it all, I have faith in us," O’Toole said in a statement. "We have more than enough food in the heartland and we have a plan to get it to families who need it. I know this community will help us get it done."

Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Human Services said up to 150,000 Minnesota families may still be eligible to apply for additional food benefits under a limited-time program aiming to ensure children don’t go hungry when they’re not in school.

DHS: Up to 150K Minnesota families eligible for food benefits; deadline is June 30

"With the economic pressures of the pandemic, families are having a more difficult time than ever before," said Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker. "The P-EBT program can help families purchase groceries to bridge that gap between the school year and the summer months."