Supporting Food Access During the Shutdown

Dear Seward Co-op Community,

We are reaching out to update you on the co-op’s plans to help continue food access in our communities in light of the temporary inaccessibility of SNAP and other government assistance programs due to the government shutdown.

With our cooperative principles in mind, Seward Co-op has given up-front financial support of $10,000 to three local food shelves with which we have existing community partnerships: Pillsbury United Communities, Sabathani Community Center, and Isuroon.

SEED funds raised during the month of November will be used to cover that up-front support, and any additional funds raised that exceed our initial $10,000 donation by the end of the month will be split up and passed along to the aforementioned food shelves. We are asking for your support to help us exceed our initial donation to help fund these organizations that are vital to the communities served by Seward Co-op.

There are many in our community—and on staff—experiencing valid concerns about what this funding gap means for the future of their financial and food security. While Gov. Walz has announced an allocation of $4M in emergency funds to support food shelves, we expect to see significant impacts; 14% of the residents of our city use these programs. Even a short disruption can mean difficult choices about food, bills, and other essentials for those who rely on these programs. The downstream effects of losing funding for government-assisted food access programs mean that small grocery stores like ours are also likely to feel this impact in multiple ways.

Seward Co-op’s Ends direct us to sustain a healthy community. This funding gap is reducing food access for members of our community and is directly opposed to our cooperative values. This is a challenge for our whole community; by rising to meet each other’s needs we will again show that we are stronger together.

For those of you who are interested, we are providing additional information about what we are doing to support impacted staff, as well as how to access additional community resources, learn more about our Needs-Based Discount, and make your grocery dollars go further when shopping at the co-op.

Since 1972, Seward Co-op has worked to demonstrate that when we work together, it is possible to cultivate a healthier and more equitable society. Shopping or being an owner of the co-op is a direct contribution to that effort, and we want to acknowledge and thank you for your continued commitment to our shared Ends, values, and goals. We want to extend an additional thank you to our staff for the effort and grace through which they continue to support these goals every day.

In Cooperation,
Seward Co-op Leadership

Food Shelf Donations and SEED Round Ups

November’s SEED round up was initially designated to supplement the co-op’s Needs-Based Discount program, which assists co-op owners with financial need purchase groceries. Instead, this month we have committed to donating $10,000 up-front to three local food banks with which we have existing relationships: Pillsbury United Communities, Sabathani Community Center, and Isuroon. The SEED funds this month will be used to cover our up-front donation. This decision will not change the co-op’s continuing support for the Needs-Based Discount program.

We hope that with your help, we will be able to go above and beyond. Any additional funds raised this month for SEED that exceed our initial $10,000 donation by the end of the month will be split up and passed along to the aforementioned food shelves. Please round up your bill to the next dollar to support this important initiative. You can also donate any amount to SEED with a cashier or at self-checkout or any time at the Customer Service kiosk. This is an easy and direct way to make a positive impact on those experiencing food scarcity in our communities, and truly any amount helps.

Support Community Resources

Our community partners have given the co-op some resources to offer our community to give them additional support during this time. See below for best places to donate to these organizations.

Pillsbury United Communities

PUC hosts food drives at all locations listed below. People can also donate online via Pillsbury United Communities online donation page.

Waite House Drop off: 9 a.m.—4 p.m. 2323 11th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN, 55404	Oak Park Drop off: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. 1701 Oak Park Avenue North Minneapolis, MN, 55411
Pillsbury House and Theatre Drop off: 1 p.m.—4 p.m. 3501 Chicago Avenue South Minneapolis, MN, 55407	Brian Coyle Drop off: 9 a.m.—6 p.m. 420 15th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN, 55454

Isuroon Food Shelf

Additional donations can be made to Isuroon via their website.

Sabathani Community Center’s Food Distribution Center

Additional donations can be made to Sabathani’s Food Shelf via their website.

Access Community Resources

For those who are looking for more food shelves and free meals, we have compiled this list from our local nonprofit community partner, Agate Housing & Services.

Staff Resources

We know that some of our staff and their families will be directly affected by this issue. We are communicating with staff internally about support through co-op benefits including access to free food, financial options like paycheck advances, and mental health and wellness support through employee assistance programs. We are also encouraging staff to use community service hours to volunteer at local food shelves.

Stretch Your Budget

When you shop at Seward Co-op stores, you’re investing in your community. Seward Co-op employs over 200 staff members, many of whom live within two miles of the store where they work. You are not only supporting hundreds of organic, small-scale, inclusive, cooperative, and local producers, but the livelihoods of fellow neighbors, too.

With the rising cost of groceries, we do not take for granted that people are making a choice to support our small, local business. For those who are looking to stretch their budgets, there are several ways to do so:

Everyday Low Prices

Keep an eye out for these tags in stores, that call out products that are price-accessible across departments.

Shopping Bulk

The Bulk department not only helps reduce package waste when you purchase only what you need, but it also can lower the cost of your shop when you only need a little bit of an ingredient. Shopping in bulk is also helpful for those who live in small spaces or are shopping for only one or two people. Learn more about how to shop Bulk, including how to weigh clean, empty containers you brought in or the ones provided in the aisle.

Learn more about shopping Bulk

Shop on Sale

Featured, limited-time sale items can always be found online on our specials page. Additionally, from Nov. 5-Dec. 2, find extra savings on many of our Everyday Low Price Field Day products, with $0.05 of each purchase being donated to local nonprofit, NATIFS.

More details on regular savings can be found on our everyday deals page.

Sign Up for Needs-Based Ownership and Discounts

For those currently enrolled in Minnesota Food Assistance/Support; Minnesota Health Care; Social Security Disability Insurance; Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC); Supplemental Security Income; or Section 8 Housing, a new ownership can be purchased for an initial equity investment of $15. The remaining $60 of owner equity is earned when future patronage refunds are converted to class A stock until the combined total reaches the current full $75 cost of ownership.

All new needs-based owners will be auto-enrolled to receive our everyday needs-based discount of 10%. The discount expires after one year and can be renewed at that time for those who qualify.