Riverwood Healthcare Center, with the help of the Aitkin Farmers Market Hub and Aitkin County Public Health, was awarded the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) grant by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The LFPA program, launched in 2024, funds projects that buy local food, primarily from socially disadvantaged and emerging farmers, to distribute to underserved communities.
The grant, which will offer $54,750 for food boxes, administration and outreach costs and transportation, allows Riverwood to procure food from local farmers and distribute food boxes through the Aitkin Farmers Market Hub.
The first box distributed in January contained apples, honey, maple syrup, wild rice, dry beans, oatmeal, oat groats, eggs and ground pork. Together, boxes will be delivered each month from January through April 2025.
Riverwood is providing the administration of the grant along with outreach efforts within the communities of Aitkin County. Each month underserved rural areas are identified that are at risk for food insecurities through the partnership of Aitkin County CARE and ANGELS. Each organization will be given 30 food boxes to distribute each month by Riverwood.
This year those communities for food box distribution include Hill City, Jan. 22; McGrath, Feb. 26; Palisade, March 26; and McGregor, April 23. Distribution of the food boxes is on a first come first served basis with no questions asked at all locations—City Hall in Hill City, McGrath Zion Lutheran Church, Assembly of God Church in Palisade, and the ANGELS office in McGregor. Drive-through pickup is from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. or until all the food has been distributed.
Emma Arnold, population health coordinator, comments, “This food program is offered under our Riverwood Connects community outreach umbrella along with Find Help and Food Rx, which we launched in 2023. Together with our community partners we are striving to address hunger and improve health for local community members.”
The intent is to assist local farmers with procuring their food during the hardest times of the winter months and to assist food-insecure community members.