Quieted Kitchens Turn From Feeding Customers to Making Meals for Food Shelf

In a remarkable move by the local hospitality industry, some of Minneapolis’ most critically acclaimed restaurants have made the decision to donate their space and product to Second Harvest Heartland in an effort to ramp up meals available at no cost during this difficult time. . After restaurants were closed by order of Minneasota’s governor because of the coronavirus epidemic, some businesses immediately began figuring out how to continue to feed people. Some Twin Cities eateries have pared down staff to bare essentials to serve people via delivery or take out, while others began offering free meals to Minnesotans facing hunger.

Second Harvest Heartland has teamed with local, nondenominational charity Loaves & Fishes to make and distribute meals during this difficult time. The Bachelor Farmer, Restaurant Alma, and Chowgirls Killer Catering are all donating their kitchens, staff, and product.

Alma’s owner Alex Roberts said, “We don’t have customers for the time being, but we do have food, we do have chefs, we do have line cooks. Let’s use them to feed folks who need a good meal as we face down the virus.”

These restaurants join others who have been working to feed neighbors during the pandemic. Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul is offering free meals to kids without school lunches to depend upon. Provisions, a pay-what-you-can restaurant in South Minneapolis put out the call to closed restaurants for perishables to make takeaway lunch boxes. Zen Box Izakaya is serving pay-what-you-can ramen.

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