Support Our Mission

Empowering marginalized rural farmers through access to information, markets, and resources.

The Challenge

Local farmers can face challenges such as limited access to information, markets, and resources. These challenges create an added barrier to the difficulty with competing in the agricultural marketplace and achieving economic gains.

The Solution

Access to Information: Provides knowledge on agricultural technologies, best practices, technical assistance, and market opportunities. Helps farmers improve productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

Access to Markets: Connects farmers with public institutions, grocery stores, restaurants, local businesses, and large food processors. Expands wholesale and retail distribution channels. Trains farmers in effective product marketing.

The Outcome

  • Display of various jars of homemade berry preserves and jams at an outdoor market stall.

    Food Waste Prevention

    Rescues and redirects crop overages to prevent waste and reduce landfill contributions.

    Processes surplus crops into value-added products like jams, syrups, and pie fillings.

  • Woman at outdoor farmers market examining a purple head of cabbage with green kale sprouting from top, surrounded by other vegetables and blurred shoppers in the background.

    Sustainable Farming Practices

    Guides farmers on planting culturally relevant crops, regenerative practices, and agroforestry.

    Provides training for food system entry and state licensing requirements.

  • Person harvesting fresh tomatoes and vegetables from a garden, placing them into a metal bowl. The person is wearing a plaid shirt and boots, working among tomato plants with green leaves.

    Food Insecurity Reduction

    Redistributes rescued food within the community, reducing food miles and carbon footprint.

Make a Donation

Your support fuels our mission to nourish communities and empower local farmers. Make a one-time or recurring donation to fund programs like meal donations and reducing food waste. Every contribution helps keep food local, provide nutritious meals, and create a lasting impact. Join us today by donating and making a difference!

Make a Donation

Become a Sponsor

Partner with Equity Eats to create meaningful change! Sponsor an event, a school snack program, or provide meals for families in need. Your sponsorship supports local farmers, strengthens our food systems, and promotes sustainability. Explore opportunities to make a lasting impact in your community—become a sponsor today!

Harvesting Health

OMC is partnering in this effort because they believe good health starts with great care. By making nutritious food part of your care, Harvesting Health supports you in building strong habits that can make a lasting difference in your life.

Snacks for School Program

This program is dedicated to providing fresh, nutritious snacks to children facing barriers to accessing healthy food in our community. Many local children struggle with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which are crucial for their growth and development. To address this issue, we are partnering with local farmers to source fresh produce and deliver it directly to those in need.

Havesting Health Box

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Community Success Stories

  • Apple Rescue Success

    Challenge: In 2020, Cedar Grove Apple Orchard faced:

    ◈ Decreased workforce and distribution channels.

    ◈ Imperfect apples unsuitable for traditional sales.

    ◈ Liability concerns for selling or donating unprocessed apples.

    Solution:
    ◈ Donated processing-grade apples to SEMNFRR.

    ◈ Processed apples into pie fillings, jellies, and syrups.

    Outcome:
    ◈ Products were sold locally, ensuring profitability for both the grower and processor.

    ◈ $2 from each sale supported food-insecure households.

  • Raspberry Syrup Success

    Challenge: In 2020, labor shortages left a farmer’s raspberry crop at risk of spoilage and pest damage.

    Solution:
    ◈ Rescued 400 pounds of raspberries.

    ◈ Processed the fruit into raspberry white wine vinegar, jams, pie fillings, and syrups.

    Outcome:
    ◈ All products were sold locally and sold out.

    ◈ Maintained a profit margin for both the grower and processor.

    ◈ $1 from each sale supported food-insecure households in the community.

    ◈ Reduced food miles and carbon footprint by keeping locally grown food within the community.

  • Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Food Rescue Efforts

    2022 Impact: SEMNFRR avoided 27.12 metric tons of greenhouse gases (mtCO2e) by rescuing and redistributing locally grown food.

    2023 Impact: Rescued and redirected over 40,000 pounds of food. Prevented over 57 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

    Ongoing Work:
    ◈ Partners with emerging farmers to redirect crop overages to communities in need.

    ◈ Addresses Minnesota’s 45% food waste in landfills by keeping fresh food in circulation.

    ◈ Provides crop recommendations, business planning, and value-added product training to agricultural entrepreneurs.