GreenLight Fund Twin Cities Invests in Tech Platform to Combat Hunger

MINNEAPOLIS (December 16, 2024) — The GreenLight Fund Twin Cities (GLFTC) today announced a multi-year investment to bring Food Connect to the Twin Cities, addressing the urgent need for food security solutions. Food Connect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gaps in our food system to end hunger, stop food waste and build health uses a logistics tech platform and leverages collaboration to deliver results. Having already provided over 3 million on-demand meals nationwide, Food Connect is now poised to partner with existing local food initiatives in the Twin Cities.

After extensive engagement with residents, community leaders, and its Selection Advisory Council, GLFTC identified food security as a critical and urgent priority for the region. Hunger continues to rise across Minnesota, with food shelf visits reaching 7.5 million in 2023 and projected to hit 9 million in 2024—marking a third consecutive year of record-breaking demand. 

“These alarming trends underscore the need for scalable and innovative approaches,” said Simone Hardeman-Jones, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Twin Cities. “Tackling food insecurity requires community-driven solutions that align with and build upon the incredible work already happening in our region to address hunger. Food Connect emerged as a transformative initiative that bridges gaps in the food system while complementing and strengthening the ongoing efforts of local organizations.”

John Wilgers, CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way and a member of GLFTC’s Selection Advisory Council, echoed this sentiment, “As a proud Selection Advisory Council member for GreenLight Fund Twin Cities, I applaud the selection of Food Connect. GreenLight Fund’s unique, community-driven approach consistently brings fresh solutions to complex challenges. Food Connect is not only innovative but also deeply complementary to the critical work being done by Greater Twin Cities United Way and other local organizations. Together, we have a powerful opportunity to deepen our collective impact and ensure every family has access to the food they need.”

Founded a decade ago in Philadelphia, Food Connect leverages technology and logistics expertise to bridge gaps in the food system. Currently, their hunger relief network spans more than 48 partners across 7 states, delivering over 200,000 last-mile meals monthly. In the Twin Cities, their model will capitalize on the reach technology enables while hiring a local team to work with Twin Cities organization partners, ensuring food rescue and redistribution efforts are both effective and sustainable. 

“We’re thrilled to join forces with GreenLight Fund Twin Cities and the passionate Twin Cities community to take bold action against hunger,” said Megha Kulshreshtha, Founder and CEO of Food Connect. “With their support we can deliver innovative solutions that ensure every meal finds its way to a neighbor in need, fostering a community where no one is left behind. Together, we’re building a future of connection, equity, and nourishment for all.”

In the Twin Cities, Food Connect will collaborate with organizations like Youthprise, Feeding Frogtown, and Keystone Community Services to reach more than 20,000 residents over the next four years. Through these partnerships, Food Connect aims to distribute nearly 100,000 pounds of food, while rescuing close to 70,000 pounds of surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. Through partnerships like Youthprise, Food Connect will provide customized logistics and delivery services to streamline meal distribution, ensuring more young people get the nutrition they need to thrive. Additionally, Food Connect is collaborating with Hennepin County and Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy on a pilot program to increase sustainable food recovery, which expands access to food.

The investment in Food Connect reflects GreenLight Fund Twin Cities’ dedication to identifying and scaling innovative solutions that address urgent community needs while building on local efforts. By leveraging Food Connect’s proven technology and collaboration model, GLFTC continues its mission to break down systemic barriers and create pathways to equity and economic mobility. This investment complements GLFTC’s previous investments, including the 2022 launch of Let Everyone Advance with Dignity (LEAD), which minimizes police interventions in minor offenses along Minneapolis’s Lake Street corridor, and a 2023 partnership with Irth, a maternal health app addressing disparities that disproportionately affect Black women. Together, these initiatives underscore GLFTC’s unwavering commitment to advancing equity and supporting the well-being of Black and Brown communities in the Twin Cities.

For more information, visit GreenLight Fund Twin Cities or sign up for our newsletter list.