KerryJo Felder was a whirlwind, answering questions, directing traffic, inspecting boxes of food and coaxing volunteers to have a hot dog for lunch. The Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation education organizer was on a mission to distribute 1,200 boxes of food free to anyone who drove into the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers parking lot at 67 8th Avenue NE on Saturday, March 20, and asked.
Felder had rounded up a crew of union members from across the Twin Cities to run the event, which was part of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Teamsters, forklift operators, electricians, teachers, musicians, stagehands and even a pair of National Honor Society students from Washburn High School worked in shifts to load the 30-lb. boxes into cars.
Setup began at 7:30 a.m., with forklift operators placing the boxes in the center of the parking lot, and others delineating traffic lanes. A worker registration table was established and the electricians union set up in one corner of the lot to grill hot dogs. At 10:30, the “customers” began to arrive, in fits and starts, throughout the day.
Said Felder, “The only question we ask is, ‘How many boxes do you want?’”
The boxes contained a variety of foods, including apples, potatoes and a big plastic tube of yogurt. A pre-cooked chicken and a package of hot dogs was also available, as well as a gallon of milk, if people wanted them. The sunny but cool weather reduced fears of food spoilage.
The Farmers to Families Food Box Program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in partnership with farmers, ranchers, food processors and distributors and community non-profits. It was started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, USDA contracts with American farmers with operations of all sizes to buy fresh produce, dairy and meat products and with distributors to package the food into family-sized boxes and transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations and other non-profits. According to the USDA’s website, 17 million food boxes will be provided nationwide in the fifth round of distribution, which began Jan. 19 and runs through April 30.
Felder, who served a term on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education, had organized a similar giveaway the previous month in North Minneapolis. Students from Edison and North high schools lent a hand at that event.
The March 20 event honored Anytrea Lynn Baker, a food service worker for the Minneapolis Public Schools, who died December 10, 2020. “She was an awesome ‘lunch lady’ who knew all the kids’ names and their families,” said Felder. “She was a great part of the community. This food is good and fresh and healthy. That was her ‘thing.’”
Groups that participated in the giveaway were local members of Working Partnerships, Minneapolis AFL-CIO, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades 82, Minnesota Hospitality Union 17, International Union of Operating Engineers 49, Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, Teamsters Local 120, Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, Education Support Professionals, Education Minnesota, Twin Cities Musicians Union, People of Color Union Members (POCUM), Service Employees International Union 26 and 284, Communications Workers of America 7250, TRI Construction, North Central Carpenters Union, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Minneapolis Building and Constructions Trades Council, CWA Minnesota State Council, Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota, Boys & Girls Clubs and Northside Emergency Resource Pop-Up.
By the end of the day, 1,100 boxes had been given away; the remainder were redistributed to organizations that help with food insecurity.
Another food giveaway will take place April 14 in the parking lot at Union Hall SEIU Local 26, 826 18th Avenue NE, (the Thorp Building) from 10:30 a.m. until the food is gone.
Below: Organizer KerryJo Felder counted food boxes. Food boxes contained a variety of fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Everyone who received a food box was also given a gallon of milk. At right, volunteers loaded a pickup for delivery to senior housing. (Photos by Cynthia Sowden)