Cook County businesses rally to support community food access

For local business owner Sarah Jorgensen-Hallberg, food security is a personal issue. She told WTIP that her family received food assistance growing up, and that the experience has shaped her belief in the importance of food access programs.

Jorgensen-Hallberg owns the Java Moose, a coffee shop in Grand Marais, and with the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be paused as the federal government shutdown continues, she, along with several other business owners in the area, have stepped up to try to help bridge the food access gap.

Another restaurant owner, Katie Slanga, who owns The Fisherman’s Daughter with her husband Parker, told WTIP that after hearing about the likely disruption to benefits beginning Nov. 1, she saw an opportunity to help those in the community who are navigating food insecurity. The restaurant is offering both hot meals and deli items to anyone who asks for help.

Both the Java Moose and The Fisherman’s Daughter are making gift cards available to area grocery stores, both to those who stop in to their businesses, or who contact Slanga or Jorgensen-Hallberg to request one. Both owners also have significant social media followings, and they have asked their audiences to help support those in the community facing hunger. Donations have come in to help cover the grocery gift cards, and Jorgensen-Hallberg has also directed her followers to donate directly to The Second Harvest Northland food bank.

Jorgensen-Hallberg and Slanga said that they have each seen donations coming in from both the local community and from their followers further away. They said that those who may not live in the area, but who love the area, have stepped up to help.

“I was absolutely mind blown at the amount of donations that were sent in just 24 hours,” Slanga said. “And I was scrolling through the names, and I was like, I don’t know most of these people. Most of these people don’t even live here, but they want to help our community, I think again, because it’s so special to them.”

As SNAP beneficiaries across the state prepare for a disruption in services,  Jorgensen-Hallberg said this is a chance for people to come together to support each other. “This community rallies behind people so very much, and they’re we’re so all intertwined,” she said. “Why would you not help your neighbor? And so I do feel, I feel the responsibility that this community has been so good to us, that it’s my role to therefore, you know, pour it back out.”

In addition to The Fisherman’s Daughter and Java Moose, the Gunflint Tavern in Grand Marais announced on their social media that they would begin offering free soup and bread for pick-up on Wednesdays until SNAP benefits are restored.

Local grocery stores have also offered their own assistance to the community. Both Johnson’s Foods in Grand Marais and the Clearview General Store in Lutsen announced that they would provide discounts to those who will not receive their November SNAP benefits, and to federal employees who are impacted by the government shutdown.

In a post to their social media, Johnson’s announced a 10% discount on food items to any WIC, EBT and SNAP card holders. They are offering the same discount to federal employees who can show proof of their employment and that they are not receiving a paycheck at this time.

Through their social media, Clearview General Store announced they would be offering a discount of 25% to those individuals with SNAP and EBT cards, again, off food items. For federal employees with proof of their furlough or their working without a paycheck, ClearView announced a 20% discount for food purchases, as well. They went on to write, “While we know that we can’t make up for all of the benefits and paychecks missed, we would like to do what we can to help.”

Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager told WTIP that one in ten Cook County residents experience food insecurity. When it comes to federal benefits programs for SNAP, the monthly average use for Cook County included 213 individuals, 143 of whom were adults or caregivers and 70 of which were children.

The special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, also known as WIC, is also under threat. Grinagar said that 40 families participate in that program in Cook County, including 48 children and 19 parents. She noted, WIC and Snap are funded differently through the US Department of Agriculture, and at the moment, WIC continues to have funding through mid November.

While benefits may not be issued until the government reopens, Cook County Public Health and Human Services has said that they are still processing applications In preparation for when those benefits resume.

While support is coming from private businesses, they are not the only options for those in need of food assistance. Cook County is home to a variety of nonprofit food access resources and residents have access to county initiatives. A list of local resources can be found below.

AEOA Mobile Food Pantry: 4th Wednesday of each month, household size and income information collected (no proof required)Grand Portage Community Center (73 Upper Rd, Grand Portage): 11:30 a.m. –NoonCook County Community Center (317 W 5th St, Grand Marais, MN): 1:30–2 p.m.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church: Dinner on Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m. at the church (417 First Avenue West, Grand Marais). Donations are appreciated but not required for dining. Grocery gift cards are also available through the parish office. Contact by phone at 218.387.2227, or by email, blc@boreal.org

Cook County Courthouse self-service food bank: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the courthouse lobby. County residents are welcome to both drop off and pick-up shelf-stable goods during regular courthouse hours. Copies of additional food access resource lists also available

Cook County Food Shelf: Mondays 3–5 p.m. and first Wednesday of each month, 5–7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church (300 W 2nd St, Grand Marais). Income information collected during registration. Fresh and shelf-stable food available for pickup, vouchers for use at local grocery stores. Call for more information (218) 387-2113

Clearview General Store – 25% discount on food items for SNAP/EBT card holders, 20% discount on food items for furloughed federal workers or those working without a paycheck (proof of furlough or lost paycheck required). 5323 W Highway 61, Lutsen

Snacks and Packs Backpack Program: in-school support organized by Second Harvest Northland and facilitated by Cook County Extension. Food is delivered to qualifying students in their backpacks on Thursdays or Fridays, along with grocery gift cards.

Extension office phone: (218)387-3015

Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside: Grocery store gift cards, warm food, deli items available for those whose benefits are disrupted. Contact Katie or Parker Slanga, katie@tfdgm.com, or through social media.

Restaurant located at 418 W Hwy 61, Grand Marais

Grand Portage Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP): Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Grand Portage Community Center (73 Upper Road, Grand Portage). Reservation required by 9 a.m. on the day. Contact (218) 475-2655 or enpdirector@grandportage.com

Price based on age: 65+, $2; ages 50–64, $3;  under 50, $5. Food delivery available.

Grand Portage Food Distribution Program: Monthly distribution for participating households. Pick-up at 101 Store Rd, Grand Portage. Packs include canned, frozen, and traditional foods.

Contact (218) 475-2480 or fdp@boreal.org

Grand Portage Food Shelf: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Grand Portage Human Services (2 Casino Dr, Grand Portage)

Call ahead for pick-up (218) 475-2453

Gunflint Tavern: Free soup and bread for pick-up on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gunfilnt Tavern (111 W Wisconsin St, Grand Marais) until SNAP benefits are restored. Email Gunflinttavern@gmail.com to arrange pickup

Java Moose Coffee Shop: local grocery gift cards available. Contact Sarah Jorgenson-Hallberg at javamoosegrandmarais@gmail.com

Shop located at 218 W Hwy 61, Grand Marais

Johnson’s Foods: offering 10% discount on food items to SNAP, WIC, and EBT card holders, and federal employees going without pay. Food assistance card or proof of federal furlough required. Johnson’s also holds weekly gift card drawings. Located at 317 E Hwy 61, Grand Marais

Meals on Wheels – The Hub / Grand Marais Senior Center: provides home meal delivery for those 60+ or who are homebound and located within 5 miles of Grand Marais. Register for Meals on Wheels through AEOA by calling 1-800-662-5711 ext. 7323. Call the Hub at (218) 387-2660 by 9:30 a.m. day of service to request a meal. Service for the week can be requested on Mondays. Frozen and pick-up meals can be requested for weekends.

Minnesota Food Helpline: phone line open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to connect people with food access resources1-888-711-1151

Nutrition for Seniors: Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank provides monthly food packages for pickup at the Cook County Food Shelf in Grand Marais.

Contact by phone (218) 336-2307, (888) 727-5653, ext. 112 or info@secondharvestnorthland.org

Small Requests Project: Direct community assistance for food support via grocery store gift cards.

Funded by Donna and Orvis Lunke with support from Empty Bowls and community donations. Contact Donna through facebook to request assistance or to contribute to the project.

Ruby’s Pantry – Cook County: monthly pickup of pre-packed bundles on the second Tuesday of each month from 5-6:30 p.m. at Great Expectations School (550 5th St, Grand Marais). Location subject to change throughout the year. Primarily shelf-stable and frozen items with some fresh produce. $25 suggested donation, but gift certificates are available and no one is turned away until all packages are collected. Contact (218) 387-1314

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic – Giving Tree Program: support for SMC patients in need. Local grocery gift cards and support for gas and lodging for those needing to travel for medical services provided. Contact the clinic at (218) 387-2330

YMCA – Snacks in the Entryway: free snacks in the main entrance to the Cook County YMCA (105 W 5th St, Grand Marais) during YMCA open hours (Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Zoar Lutheran Church – Soup Suppers: free community dinner every Wednesday through May 7 from 5:15-6 p.m. at Zoar Lutheran Church (7241 MN-61, Tofte)

Kirsten Wisniewski October 30, 2025