Wabasha Area Food Shelf welcomes area residents to their new location beginning Thursday, September 24, 10:00am-Noon.

New location
142 2nd St. West, downtown Wabasha

The building is located next to Grandpa’s Barn, across from the Public Library.

Why are they moving?

For the safety of patients and staff, Food Shelf operations at St. Elizabeth’s had to be greatly curtailed. It is not certain how long the COVID-19 situation will continue.

Everyone will be required to wear a mask

Plus, customers may need to wait in their vehicles to limit the number of people inside the building at any one time.

What to expect at the new location

Large, newly remodeled space.
Street level entry (no more stairs or elevator).
Ample parking next door.
Ability to do your own shopping for the things you really need.

Wabasha County food shelves adapt to meet the needs of anyone in need during COVID-19.

Food shelves across the county have been receiving Emergency Food Boxes from Channel One, our regional food bank, to safely distribute to customers. Most food shelves offer curbside pick-up and in addition, they may offer a shopping checklist of items to meet customer needs and then distribute pre-packaged foods as well.

Many residents are asking how they can help to ensure Wabasha County families have food and other essentials.

Because of the concerns for worker and client safety, the best way to help is by sending monetary donations to the addresses shown below. During this time of uncertainty, food shelves are even more important!

“What a blessing food shelves are! I am so thankful to have them available during these difficult times.”

- a sentiment shared with Pastor Colleen Hoeft of Zumbro Falls

“Our food shelves have been working very hard to ensure continued service for our residents in a safe way. The dedication of food shelf staff and volunteers in Wabasha County is second to none, and we appreciate the work they are doing.”

- Public Health Director, Tammy Fiedler

Support your local farmers while eating delicious local foods.

“During these uncertain times brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, knowing where you can find fresh, healthy foods is important. Now is not the time to panic, instead, plan ahead, and in planning ahead, you are helping out your local farmers in our surrounding area. Thank you!”

- Sara George, Wabasha Farmers Market

The 2020 Market Share boxes.

If you are looking for a consistent and convenient way to enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers, we have the program for you! We know that food that is grown closer to you is more nutritious, and less time between field to fork means longer lasting and fresher food for you.

What is Market Share?

Market Share is similar to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model where ½ bushel boxes of fresh, locally grown produce will be delivered weekly to drop off sites every Thursday all season long. What makes Market Share different? We aggregate our produce which means we combine produce from multiple local farmers, mixing the boxes with a variety of farm fresh fruits and vegetables to be enjoyed.

The Wabasha Farmers Market is part of the food aggregation project and accepts EBT, SNAP, DEBIT and CREDIT cards as well as WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Vouchers. Please email Sara George or call at (715) 651-5046 with any questions. Learn more about the market.

Lake City Market by the Lake is also part of the food aggregation project providing food for the CSA boxes. Market Manager, Susan Draves, says “this summer you can count on us to implement new procedures based on the COVID-19 guidance recommendations for farmers markets from the MN Dept of Ag and the MN Farmers Market Association.”

Lake City Market by the Lake begins June 11th and runs through September 17th. Our Saturday market at the Centurylink parking lot will take place as well, but the start date is yet to be determined.

Lake City’s Hwy. 61 Reconstruct Project is set to begin soon starting on the north and south ends simultaneously and moving toward the middle/downtown area. During construction, three cross streets will remain open at any given time, but these will change weekly. We will be working closely with the City of Lake City to communicate clearly which cross streets are open so community members can access our market at Ohuta Park. 

Now more than ever, it’s good to know where we can find fresh, locally-grown food. Please see the Minnesota Grown website for a directory of MN farmers markets and CSAs. This resource can be also be found on our Partner Resource page.

Have a “Know Your Local Farmers” story to share?

Please email Tina Moen, SHIP Coordinator or call 651-565-5200 to share a story and photo for “Know Your Local Farmers” and to learn more about partnering with Wabasha County SHIP.

Wabasha County Food Access Network recruits two Master Gardener candidates.

Master Gardener volunteers engage and educate people across the state to help them improve their lives and the environment. From demonstrating to school children how to plant a vegetable garden, to sharing research-based information with new homeowners about which plants will grow well in their yards, Master Gardeners are bringing about positive change in their communities. Learn more here.

We would like to thank Kris Kruse and Dr. Amy Sapola for contracting with SHIP to become Master Gardeners in order to support Wabasha County communities in increasing access to healthy fruit and produce. Becoming a Master Gardener is a thorough process. The two community members will take 48+ hours of basic horticulture education followed by volunteering 50 hours on projects and events that deliver horticulture education and information to the public in 2020. 

 If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, would benefit from the knowledge and support of a Master Gardener, and/or you would like information on what it means to partner with Wabasha County SHIP, please email Tina Moen or call her at 651-565-5200.

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