Fare For All Ends Metro Services to Focus on Rural Communities

Fare For All, a nonprofit organization providing affordable grocery options, announced it will cease operations at its metro locations after February 2026. This decision impacts sites in St. Paul, Eagan, White Bear Lake, and six other Twin Cities areas but allows the program to continue serving nine locations in Greater Minnesota. The Food Group, which oversees the initiative, communicated this change to patrons on Monday.

The Fare For All program has been a significant resource for individuals seeking affordable food, offering fresh produce and frozen meat at discounts of up to 40 percent off retail prices. This service has become increasingly vital as grocery prices have risen in recent years. According to The Food Group, demand in metro areas has declined, prompting a reevaluation of where resources are most needed.

Shifting Focus to Address Grocery Access

The decision to discontinue metro services is rooted in a strategic shift aimed at enhancing food access in rural areas. In an email to Fare For All customers, The Food Group acknowledged the disappointment this news may bring. “With food prices remaining high, we need to invest our resources in communities that lack grocery store access,” the message stated.

The grocery landscape has evolved significantly since Fare For All began operating in 2002. The program has seen participation drop by approximately 36 percent from 2018 to 2025, falling from serving 53,317 households to 34,343. Sophia Lenarz-Coy, executive director of The Food Group, noted that increased grocery options in the Twin Cities have led to fewer participants relying on Fare For All services.

“Having more affordable grocery options can really mean that we see fewer participating at Fare For All,” Lenarz-Coy explained. The introduction of popular discount chains such as Aldi, along with membership-based stores like Sam’s Club and Costco, has shifted consumer behavior. The availability of affordable produce at local farmers’ markets also contributes to this changing dynamic.

Another factor impacting participation is the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lenarz-Coy remarked on the difficulties faced in certain metro locations, where attendance has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Community Reactions and Future Plans

Reactions to the announcement have varied, with many expressing sadness over the loss of the program in metro areas. Comments on Fare For All’s Facebook page reflect the emotional impact on customers who have relied on the service. One user stated, “I live on social security, and this makes me very sad as it really helped me.” Others voiced concerns about the timing of the decision and its effects on urban communities.

Despite the cessation of metro services, The Food Group remains committed to addressing food access challenges. The organization operates various programs, including the Twin Cities Mobile Market, which will continue to serve neighborhoods predominantly in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Lenarz-Coy emphasized the importance of adapting to the current food landscape. “We started to think about, as an organization, how do we best invest our resources?” she said, highlighting the need for a focus on program efficiency and long-term sustainability.

The Fare For All program will maintain its metro presence through February 2026, providing opportunities for customers to access discounted food. A stop at the West Seventh Community Center in St. Paul is scheduled for February 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. Following this, the program will concentrate its efforts on rural sites in North Branch, Mankato, Hutchinson, Red Wing, Rush City, Buffalo, St. Cloud, and St. Joseph.

For more information on Fare For All and its complete schedule, visit The Food Group’s official website at thefoodgroupmn.org/groceries/fare-for-all/schedule/.