The 2025 Minnesota Food Shelf Manager Survey captures the voices of 318 food shelf managers in Minnesota. This report, just released, and now available at supershelfmn.org/minnesota-statewide-survey, provides a point-in-time view of the strain food shelves were already feeling in the spring of this year.
In March 2025, 84% of food shelf leaders noted increased demand for food as one of their top challenges – up nearly 15 points from 2022. Larger food shelves felt this most acutely, with 91% of them listing this as a primary concern.
FFEN and University of Minnesota Extension work as lead partners to craft, distribute, collect and analyze the survey. Critical support and collaboration comes from the Department of Children, Youth and Families and The Food Group as well as a multi-sector Advisory Council of 14 people representing hunger relief, healthcare, and funder organizations.
The survey results are based on data collected in March 2025, before the changes to SNAP and the government shutdown, both of which are expected to increase need. Food shelf manager data was previewed to 48 people during a Data Party this summer that helped to inform the final report.
“These survey results paint a picture of the truly hard work food shelf leaders are doing across the state to respond to ever-increasing demand,” said Kate Burgraff, FFEN’s executive director. “This data is another tool to further understand the real challenges facing Minnesota’s food shelves and what’s at stake in this moment.”
Key takeaways from Minnesota’s food shelf managers:
- Food shelves are responding to increased community needs, often serving as hubs for additional resources.
- Staffing continues to rely on volunteers and long-tenured leaders.
- Demand is outpacing resources, leading to inconsistencies in food availability.
- Challenges are largely similar across food shelf sizes and regions of the state.
Additionally, food shelf leaders report they want a larger voice in advocacy, storytelling and decision-making.
The 2025 survey results include a new analysis by food shelf service size, revealing common challenges across groups, yet different rates of prevalence depending on the number of households served. This data can help better understand programming, volunteer reliance, and the variable capacity of food shelves as they navigate continued increased demand.
Watch this video to find out why this year’s survey is more important than ever!
Access the 2025 Minnesota Food Shelf Manager Survey Report here, including:
- Statewide Manager Results Report with key takeaways
- Food Shelf Profile Report based on food shelf service sizes
- Food Shelf Support Flyer highlighting how the public can support local food shelves, including the difference between food shelves and food banks
- Full Statewide Manager Data Report – all the questions and answers
