Feeding the Need

A regional response to food insecurity.

How a coordinated effort is transforming excess into access across South Central Minnesota.

On the day Tom Polich agreed to meet to talk about food rescue efforts, he showed up with a spreadsheet of data and a car full of squash. 

The squash, part of a 684-pound rescue underway that day, was headed to the St. Peter Food Shelf and the Mayo Clinic Health System produce refrigerators, where it would be available for patients showing signs of food insecurity. 

It was a fitting snapshot of the work he’s been doing since early 2025—coordinating a regional food rescue initiative that’s helping close the gap between surplus and scarcity.

In South Central Minnesota, food insecurity is a persistent and growing challenge. According to the Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study, just 46% of respondents believe their community has consistent access to enough food, with fresh, nutritious options being a top concern. 

Transportation barriers, limited infrastructure, and a lack of coordination have long made it difficult for residents—especially in our regional communities—to reach grocery stores and food shelves.

That’s where the Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) stepped in.

MAF heard from regional food shelves about a surge in demand. At the same time, MAF learned of a growing effort to rescue large quantities of food that were being rejected by grocery stores and distribution centers, often for reasons as simple as a bruised piece of fruit or a paperwork error. 

Sometimes, entire truckloads were turned away. Pallets of perfectly safe and edible food were being dumped at truck stops or sent to landfills, simply because there was no system in place to redirect them.

Recognizing the opportunity, MAF provided funding to support a Regional Food Rescue Coordinator, housed at Region Nine Development Commission. That coordinator is Polich.

“Through site visits and data collection, I identified infrastructure gaps, equipment shortages, and collaboration opportunities,” Polich said. “This created the groundwork for a strategic approach to local food recovery.”

The Great Nectarine Rescue

One of the most memorable rescues came in the form of a fruit-filled adventure that has become known as The Great Nectarine Rescue.

It started with a phone call to Feeding Our Community Partners (FOCP). A truck driver had “a few cases of strawberries and some nectarines” that had been rejected due to a paperwork error. FOCP was preparing spring break food boxes for local kiddos and gladly accepted the fruit—only to discover it was several pallets’ worth.

FOCP used all they could, but it barely made a dent.

Luckily, Polich had just met with FOCP the week before. When they called, Polich sprang into action. “I had a list of food shelves and felt ready to get the fruit to where it could be used,” Polich said. “But when I saw the volume of nectarines, it was a full-on panic moment.”

Polich began calling partners. ECHO Food Shelf took two pallets. Southern Minnesota Food Recovery accepted some. Lutheran Social Services distributed fruit to seniors. The Maverick Food Pantry at Minnesota State University, Mankato made sure the food reached students, and the University of Minnesota Extension Program stocked refrigerators in local clinics for patients.

Within a couple of days, the fruit, which Polich estimated would retail for $10,000, was on its way to families across the region.

“It was a bit of a puzzle,” Polich said. “But this region has an incredible network of nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions. Without all of us working together, I don’t even want to think where that fruit would have ended up.”

Rooted in Community

From biscuits and red potatoes to pork ears and eggs, every rescued item tells a story of collaboration. Even the squash in Polich’s car was quickly absorbed into the regional network, an example of how surplus food is being transformed to sustenance.

As demand grows and transportation challenges persist, Polich and his partners are actively working to strengthen the regional food distribution system, ensuring perfectly good food doesn’t go to waste.

Each rescue reflects the power of a connected community—like the time 700 pounds of onions were successfully delivered to the St. Peter Food Shelf and distributed to 311 families in under 30 minutes.

“Every rescue is a reminder of what’s possible when people work together. We’ve built a network that’s nimble and committed to making sure good food reaches the people who need it, Polich said. “The needs are growing, and the funding landscape is uncertain—but the relationships we’ve built gives me hope.”

PALLETS TO PEOPLE

Six months of food recovery in action

Between March and September 2025, a total of 60,292 pounds of surplus food was rescued, rerouted, and redistributed, transforming potential waste into nourishment for our regional and local communities.

Here’s how much was saved, where it went, and who it helped.

Pounds of food rescued: 60,292

Retail value: $87,404

Coordinated rescues: 75

Types of food rescued: Biscuits, cucumbers, eggplant, eggs, nectarines, onions, peppers, pineapple, pork ears, red potatoes, salsa, squash, strawberries.

WHERE THE FOOD WENT:

Senior nutrition programs: Lutheran Social Services

Campus pantries: Crossroads Ministry Campus Cupboard, Maverick Food Pantry

Local clinics: Mankato Clinic Produce Place; Mayo Clinic Health System Produce Refrigerator

Nonprofits: Feeding Our Communities Partners (FOCP), MY Place, Southern Minnesota Food Recovery Network

Regional and community-based food shelves:
ECHO Food Shelf, Janesville Community Food Shelf, New Ulm Food Shelf, St. Peter Food Shelf, Sibley County Food Share, Waseca Area Food Shelf, Watonwan County Food Shelf