Partnership between county and university transforms food shelves

Since 2019, Hennepin County has collaborated with the University of Minnesota Extension SuperShelf program to transform the spaces and systems of local food shelves.

Through the partnership, seven Hennepin County food shelves have transformed their spaces to give consumers more choices and create a welcoming environment.

SuperShelf’s core principles transform food shelf environments by creating welcoming, choice-based spaces that center healthier options. These improvements not only enhance the shopping experience but also advance public health goals by increasing access to fresh produce and culturally meaningful foods when people need them most and cannot afford them. Ultimately, SuperShelf supports healthier communities by helping prevent and manage chronic diseases among those most vulnerable.

"Oh, it was beautiful! I love being able to see everything and choose all my own items. Before, I used to end up with things I wouldn't use. If you keep this new setup, it's going to be so much better!" - PROP customer

man standing in the food shelf
A volunteer stocks shelves with groceries at PROP in Eden Prairie.

SuperShelf values: good food and respect for all

The SuperShelf model helps food shelf managers make changes that help create a dignified, positive shopping experience for food shelf shoppers.

In Minnesota, food shelf shoppers consistently voice their desire for fresh, appealing and nutritious items like produce, meat and poultry, dairy, eggs and cooking items. SuperShelf’s methods prioritize these items and increase their prominence in food shelf spaces.

SuperShelf methods and standards help food shelves:

Create a food shelf environment that is shopper-centered by respecting individual food choices and being welcoming and easy to navigate.
Increase access to a variety of healthy and culturally connected foods.
Transform existing food shelf spaces to emulate retail grocery environments.
Meet specific SuperShelf benchmarks.

The model is based on Extension’s decade-plus research and experience. In that time, they’ve worked with 100 food shelves statewide to promote shopper choice and foster human dignity. This includes a total of 16 food shelves in Hennepin County.

before and after changes to the North Hennepin Community College food shelf
A before and after look at the changes made possible at North Hennepin Community College, thanks to the program.

Hennepin County and University of Minnesota Extension collaboration

Alongside University of Minnesota Extension and with funding from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), Hennepin County has supported six food shelves with necessary components of their SuperShelf transformations. This includes items such as shelving, refrigerators, freezers, signage, and paint.

The following food shelves recently became SuperShelf certified:

CROSS Services, Rogers
NEAR, Crystal
PRISM, Golden Valley
PROP, Eden Prairie
The Salvation Army Minneapolis Central
The Salvation Army Noble Worship & Community Center, Brooklyn Park

“I feel a thousand pounds lighter. Thank you so much! I was sick to my stomach thinking about how I could find healthy food for my family. This gave me a fresh start on the day.” - CROSS customer

fresh produce in bins
Fresh produce is displayed in bins for easy selection at the Salvation Army in Brooklyn Park.

Innovative models

SuperShelf cohort

To keep pace with increased demand and limited capacity, in 2024 Hennepin County and University of Minnesota Extension partnered to shift to a new cohort model for SuperShelf that is the first of its kind in the state. After a year of learning together as a group about SuperShelf, the six food shelves that still are participating in the cohort in 2026 are focused on their next transformation steps to become certified. The current cohort members are:

All Nations Youth and Community Assistance Program, Minneapolis
Calvary Food Shelf, Minneapolis
CAPI Food Shelf, Brooklyn Center
New Creation Baptist Church (NCBC) Food Shelf, Minneapolis
NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center Food Shelf, Minneapolis
The Camden Promise Food Shelf, Minneapolis

volunteer stocking shelves
A volunteer at CROSS prepares to stock shelves.

College food shelves

Hennepin County, with funding through SHIP, has also supported college food shelves in becoming SuperShelf locations. North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) in Brooklyn Park transformed what was once a computer room that was dark and uninviting into a bright and welcoming food shelf for students. As a result, NHCC became the first college food shelf in Minnesota to be certified as a SuperShelf.

Hennepin County now is working with Hennepin Technical College and its two campuses in Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park on plans to become SuperShelf sites.

Learn more

Since federal funding for the SNAP-Ed program that originally funded SuperShelf in Minnesota ended on October 1, 2025, Extension has pivoted to other ways to continue the SuperShelf program. The next round of applications for food shelves will be accepted in late fall 2026. Additional resources and upcoming events are also regularly shared through the University of Minnesota Extension SuperShelf newsletter.

For more information, reach out to supershelf@umn.edu.