Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed October 23-29, 2022 as Bag Hunger Week!

The MGA is encouraging consumers statewide to Bag Hunger in their neighborhoods by shopping at participating retailers during the 2022 Bag Hunger Campaign. All food and monetary contributions collected in-store will go to provide much-needed support to local food banks and shelves to benefit hungry Minnesota families.

The Bag Hunger Campaign is a three-way partnership with grocers, vendors, and consumers aimed at increasing donations to Minnesota food shelves. The MGA coordinates the program across the state and has over 200 retail participants and 12 vendor partners. Since 2008, the MGA’s hunger campaigns have provided nearly 42 million meals to families in Minnesota and have set a goal of 1 million meals for 2022.

“Our grocers and vendor partners share consumers’ concerns for providing food and necessities to local families in need,” said Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “The participating retailers are proud to bring the Bag Hunger Campaign to our communities, to help increase donations to their local food shelves, and to benefit area families during these difficult economic times.”

Grocers and vendor partners will offer many ways for consumers to Bag Hunger in their communities including some of the following options:

• Food Drive – Buy items in the store and donate them to local food shelves;
• In-Store Promotions – Purchase specially marked items and vendor partners will donate an additional monetary amount to local food shelves; and
• “I Bagged Hunger” Icons – Customers may contribute to food shelves at the register and sign a grocery list icon that will be displayed prominently in the store.

Additionally, the MGA has a Reusable Bag Promotion. Through social media customers can receive an MGA reusable bag by “tagging a friend and telling us which grocery store is your go-to and why”. Participate on Facebook. 

The Bag Hunger Campaign will be actively driving the program online and via social media. We are encouraging consumers to support sponsoring companies and assist in a statewide fight to Bag Hunger by shopping for products identified by the Bag Hunger logo at their local grocers.

“According to the USDA, over 33 million Americans live in households that struggle against hunger – one in 12 households experience food insecurity,” said Jamie Pfuhl. “By raising funds, increasing public support, and promoting local food shelf donations, the Minnesota food industry and consumers truly can make a difference in the fight to end hunger.”