Second Harvest Heartland is raising awareness around the lack of fresh foods at local food shelves.
Right now an overwhelming majority of Minnesota food shelf recipients are requesting fresh produce more than any other food item, causing a shortage.
Second Harvest Heartland CEO Allison O'Toole says economic conditions play a big role in the problem.
"Changes to emergency benefits earlier this year are really making budgets tight for a set of families and also fluctuating gas and grocery prices," says O'Toole. "They all add up."
O’Toole says its going to take more donations from the public to meet current demand.
"One of the biggest assets we have is this community and their attention and engagement on this issue makes it different," she says.
Things like eggs, milk and low cost meats are becoming scarce says O'Toole.
"What we're seeing is the need to purchase so much more of those items because the need in our community is so high," O'Toole explains. "And so, you know, the barrier is making sure we're keeping up with that need."
Data shows Minnesota is experiencing a 14 percent increase in food shelf households compared to last year. To learn more about where donations are needed visit the Second Harvest Heartland website.