Minnesota Project Inc

Your gift to The Minnesota Project will be doubled and allow us to continue to "champion the sustainable production and equitable distribution of energy and food in communities across Minnesota." 

The Minnesota Project Board is offering an additional match for the first $3,000, so that's a 2 : 1 match on the first $3,000 and a 1 : 1 match on the next $7,000 raised.

In 2013 with the help of great volunteers, tree owners, orchard owners, market farmers, gardeners and corporate team members we've harvested over 100,000 lbs. of fruit and 50,000 lbs. of vegetables and delivered them to 30+ regional food shelves and 3 food banks. That's equivilent to 125,000 meals!

Your gift will ensure we can surpass that next year!

We also have a wonderful challenge grant from the SUPERVALU Foundation – they will match dollar for dollar up to $10,000 for funds we raise towards the gleaning work that we do – through Fruits of the City and our Gardening Gleaning Project.  We need your help reaching that goal!  As donors and community members did last year, we can reach the $10,000 mark and use those funds to ensure we are moving forward in 2014!  Your investment in The Minnesota Project and its programs will be doubled!

Our gleaning programs since 2009 have harvested over 210,000 lbs. of fruit and over 72,000 lbs. of vegetables which have been distributed to 31 Food shelves and 3 Food Banks throughout the metropolitan region.  That’s equivalent to over 470,000 family servings which has become a staple of fresh food for food shelf guests and is now something they seek out and plan to their family meals.

Many families benefit from the generosity of tree owners, gardeners, volunteers, farmers, orchard owners and engaged community members all throughout our region.  On behalf of those who benefit – THANK YOU ALL !!

Farm Energy Efficiency

Our Farm Energy Efficiency work trained another 12 Farm Energy Auditors bringing our total to 23 serving Minnesota farmers statewide. We’ve installed LED lights in 17 poultry barns and producers are seeing an annual reduction of 342,227 kWh/yr. for an estimated savings of $37,600 per year.  And for the life of the bulbs at today’s rates, that’s a total savings of more than $470,000.

We've established a Dairy Energy Efficiency Benchmarking tool and in Southeastern Minnesota, we are completing 30 on farm energy reviews to assist dairy farmers in identifying ways to reduce their operating costs and work with local utilities to offer rebates on equipment upgrades.