Healthy Eating

We believe everyone should have the option to eat healthy foods, and we’re working to make that a reality for all Minnesotans. Some of the biggest challenges to healthy eating:

• In many communities the foods and drinks that are most affordable and available are also the ones that are the least nutritious.
• Too often, healthy foods cost more money and are harder to find, or in many communities simply not available.
• A lack of full-service grocery stores or a high prevalence of convenience foods creates an environment that results in higher rates of chronic diseases.

Low-income communities and people living in remote areas are far more likely to experience these barriers. Therefore, addressing health inequities and food insecurity in Minnesota has been a fundamental part of our work, and it will remain at the forefront of our efforts.

We understand that multiple approaches are needed to help support opportunities for healthy eating. By collaborating with communities, engaging health and food experts, and promoting better policies, we believe we can help to create a healthier Minnesota, where all residents have the opportunity and access to choose healthy options.

In our new strategic plan, we have centered our healthy eating body of work on food justice. Food justice means that everyone has access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods without barriers. Addressing the injustice in our current food system and advocating for environmental and workers’ rights are also central to food justice.

Our 2023-2024 Healthy Eating Objectives: Advance food justice by ensuring access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food.

• Advance policies that address food justice.
• Ensure that BIPOC, immigrant, and rural communities have agency and decision-making in shaping Minnesota’s food systems.
• Reduce food insecurity by addressing root causes and investing in community-identified solutions.