It is estimated that almost 40% of food goes unsold or uneaten, yet thousands of people across our county struggle with hunger.
The Solution
Food industry donors team up with Outreach Food Shelf to get their surplus food to those who need it. Because of the commitment of local retailers, manufacturers, growers, and other food industry partners, we are able to capture food that would otherwise go to waste, and keep our neighbors fed. Food industry donors are critical to our distribution efforts. This valuable partnership with the food industry ensures that Outreach Food Shelf is able to deliver food to the dinner tables of families in need.
Walmart Stores
For nearly 20 years, Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation have worked with Feeding America, local food banks, food pantries and meals programs to transform the charitable food experience. Outreach Food Shelf is fortunate to see food donations from eight local stores in NW Minnesota, directly supporting the food shelves in those communities
Cub
Cub was founded in Minnesota in 1968, offering the best produce in town, a full selection of meat and seafood, deli and bakery favorites, pet food, gift cards and flowers. Cub has been delivering great value and supporting the community for over 50 years.
Outreach Food Shelf is grateful for the strong relationship with Cub in Alexandria, MN. They were the #1 retail food donor in 2023! Thank you, Cub!
Target
Target was originally created in 1962 and is officially in all 50 states, thanks to the 2018 addition of our first store in Vermont.
Each year, Target strengthens our communities by giving 5% of profits back in cash, products, and through the Target Foundation. Target volunteers serve 1 million hours in their communities annually. By 2030, Target plans to achieve zero waste to landfill in U.S. operations. Their goal to reduce operational food waste by 50% across the stores, supply chain facilities and headquarters has already been achieved. Target is a wonderful corporate partner helping fight food insecurity!
ALDI
With 2,415 store locations in the United States, ALDI has become a well-known grocery brand. We are fortunate that ALDI is a national partner with the Feeding America network.
Outreach Food Shelf’s partner agencies receive donations from six ALDI locations in northwest Minnesota (and Grand Forks)!
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Founded back in 1930, KFC is famous for its fried chicken and now has over 24,000 locations around the world. As a national partner of Feeding America food banks, KFC donates valuable protein to local food shelves.
In northwest Minnesota, three KFC locations donate locally.
Elden’s Fresh Foods
Elden’s Fresh Foods is a local grocer in Alexandria, MN. The staff at Elden’s are truly interested in giving back to the community and have supported the local food shelf in ways beyond food rescue donations. Thank you, Elden’s, for being a partner!
SunOpta – Alexandria
SunOpta’s soymilk plant in Alexandria, MN has donated close to a ½ million lbs. of aseptic (shelf stable) soymilk as well as fresh soymilk. When their product is manufactured it is shipped into regional cold storage facilities around the US. When Linda Wayne calls with a donation, we either pick it up in Alexandria or call our neighboring Feeding America Food Bank to notify them they have a wonderful donation waiting for pick-up nearby. Not only does SunOpta give us every opportunity to capture their surplus inventory, but they also sent a large number of employees to volunteer. They are so easy to work with and a true blessing helping so many people with their delicious, healthy milk.
Douglas Machine
In 1964, Bud Thoen founded Douglas Machine with a vision to invent and build exceptional automated packaging machinery. Two years later, Vern Anderson, the current CEO of Douglas Machine, joined the fledgling business. Later that year the company sold its first machine to Curtis Candy Company for $6,476. From the very beginning, a deep appreciation for the customers’ ongoing trust drives the company to be a great supplier with values based upon respect.
Douglas Machine builds many systems for food companies. When the line is finished they typically test it with real food products. When the testing is complete they donate the product to us.
Outreach Food Shelf 