Systems Partnerships

Systems Partnerships funding supports coalitions and networks of nonprofit, education, and government organizations to address systemic issues related to health equity in Minnesota. The program includes groups that work on community engagement methods and within food systems. Organizations involve local communities and stakeholders to create policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change with the goal of long-term, sustained health improvement.

Born to Thrive 

The Born to Thrive team is led by Hunger Solution in partnership with Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota, The Food Group, Second Harvest Heartland, Youthprise and Child Care and Nutrition Inc.

Born to Thrive is advocating for targeted changes in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Minnesota. CACFP is a federal program that provides financial support to in-home childcare providers and childcare centers for nutritious foods that contribute to the

wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children. The goal is to make targeted changes to increase equitable access to healthy food in early care settings for thousands of children across the state.

During the coronovirus pandemic, Hunger Solutions is focusing significant attention on hunger relief efforts and regranting funds to food shelves. The pandemic has exposed undeniable inefficiencies and barriers in the food system that require urgent attention. Coalition partners agree the pandemic has a harsher impact on people of color and in rural and low-income communities. Born to Thrive remains committed to dialing up the pressure for system reform.

The Indigenous Food Network of Minneapolis 

The Indigenous Food Network (IFN) is led by Dream of Wild Health in partnership with the Minneapolis American Indian Center, Bdote Learning Center, Nawayee Center School, Division of Indian Works, Native American Community Development Institute, and a number of other community partners.

The IFN provides an opportunity for Native-led community organizations in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis to work together to rebuild a sovereign food system by identifying and leveraging organizational and community assets. The work of the IFN builds on the cultural knowledge of community members and uses an intertribal and multigenerational approach.

The IFN addresses the growing supply and demand needs for healthy Indigenous foods by developing the infrastructure to grow more produce, prepare and deliver the food to institutional and community partners, and to encourage more consumption of these foods through culturally-based youth and community education. They are creating a Native American urban model for food sovereignty.

During the coronavirus pandemic, IFN partners are collaborating to provide meals to elders. Dream of Wild Health is working to increase food production on the farm while ensuring staff safety. They are exploring ways to distribute food through the Division of Indian Work and the Nawayee Center School, serving youth, families and other community members in need.

Community Engagement for Equitable Systems Change

Wilder, along with Nexus Community Partners, People Serving People, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs’ Future Services Institute, and Equity Strategies LLC will convene to develop tools and resources for advancing equitable systems change, including health equity.

The cohort is driven by the belief that communities most affected by negative consequences need to have seats at decision-making tables. Their approach focuses on improving the effectiveness of community engagement efforts and creating an explicit link between authentic community engagement and system change efforts. Institutions must be receptive to community feedback and implement change in partnership with community.

The impact of the coronovirus pandemic on Minnesota communities underscores the importance of this work. Tools created by the group will be made available to the public.