Food shelf visits triple as costs rise, model shifts
The White Bear Lake City Council heard Wednesday that visits to the White Bear Area Food Shelf have nearly tripled in five years, driven by rising housing and food costs alongside cuts to federal assistance programs. Executive Director Perry Peterson presented the organization's shift to an open-access model that allows residents to visit as often as needed.
Peterson told the council that one in five Minnesota households struggle to afford food, a stark reminder of the region's food insecurity crisis. The food shelf has seen dramatic growth in demand, which Peterson attributed to two factors: genuine increased need among residents and the organization's decision to eliminate barriers to access. "We did make the switch in the beginning of COVID to be open to anyone and as often as needed," Peterson said, noting this approach has become an industry trend.
The food shelf now distributes food through multiple channels, including curbside pickup on Whitaker Street, a community market, mobile markets at locations like Century College, and a Kid Pack program. Peterson emphasized that the organization prioritizes healthy, fresh food rather than processed items. He also highlighted the food shelf's food recovery efforts, which reduce waste while meeting community needs.
Council members expressed broad support for the operational changes. Mayor McCloskey praised the shift toward healthier food options, saying it benefits the community long-term. Council member Angstran noted the practical impact: "The number of times that myself and my colleagues have had to try to figure out where people can go for their next free food... it just compounds problems." However, Council member Walsh raised an analytical question, suggesting that some of the usage increase may simply reflect easier access rather than solely increased need.
Peterson noted the critical role of federal programs, stating that for every nine meals provided by SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the food shelf system supports only one. Cuts to federal programs like SNAP and the Emergency Food Assistance Program have forced the food shelf to purchase more food independently, straining resources. The presentation was informational only, with no official council action taken. City Manager Crawford also announced upcoming community events and reminded residents that the primary election is scheduled for August 11th.
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