The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines a food desert as community where at least 33% of the census tract’s population must reside more than one mile from a supermarket or grocery store.” An estimated 23.5% of Americans live in a food desert, making this a major public health issue. With such a large population of people living in food deserts, finding access to fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to curb rates of chronic diseases. 
 
How to Grow Food at Home
 
Growing food at home can be an easy and affordable way to curb the food gap. Food can easily be grown in a home garden, but for individuals living in apartments this is not an option.
 
 
4-5 Inch Pots
 
Lettuce, radishes, chives, basil, cilantro
 
6-7 Inch Pots
 
Bush green beans, onions, Asian  greens, peas, kohlrabi, garlic, mint,  thyme
 
8-9 Inch Pots
 
Pole green beans, carrots, cucumber,  eggplant, fennel, leeks, peppers,  spinach, chard, parsley, rosemary
 
10-12 Inch Pots
 
Beets, broccoli, okra, potatoes, sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, dill,  Lemongrass, strawberries
 
 
 
1. Gather a pot or container of the correct size. Plastic buckets can be used, so long as holes are drilled into the bottom and a saucer or other drain pan is placed on the bottom. 2. Fill the container with potting soil. Dig a small hole, place seeds and cover with soil. a. For peas, pole green beans, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes require stakes to be placed in the soil. 3. Water regularly and place near a window with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
 
 
How to Shop at Farmers’ Markets
 
Farmers’ Markets are an easy and affordable way to purchase fresh produce. Farmers’ Markets are often cheaper than supermarkets, provide fresh and delicious produce, and accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT).
 
Lyndale Farmers Market
 
Address: 
 
312 East Lyndale Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN 55405
 
Hours:
 
Open Monday-Sunday 6am - 1pm
 
Gov’t Center Farmers Market
 
Address:
 
300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487
 
Hours:
 
Open Tuesdays 9am - 3pm
 
 
Nicollet Mall Farmers Market
 
Address:
 
Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55487
 
Hours:
 
Open Thursdays 6am - 6pm 
 

 
Mill City Farmers Market
 
Address:
 
704 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401
 
Hours:
 
Open Saturdays 8am - 1pm
 
 
St. Thomas More Market
 
Address:
 
1093 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
 
Hours:
 
Open Fridays 1:15pm - 5pm
 
 
 
Downtown Farmers Market
 
Address:
 
290 5th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
 
Hours:
 
Open Saturdays 6am - 1pm Open Sundays 8am - 1pm
 
 
 
1. Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit to your local Farmers’ Market. 2. Bring cash. Some vendors take credit cards but cash is always a safe bet. a. Lots of vendors take Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). 3. Bring a reusable bag.
 
 
How to Shop at the Twin Cities Mobile Market
 
The Twin Cities Mobile Market is run through the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. This one of a kind service provides underserved communities in the Twin Cities with fresh produce. 
 
1. Find the stop closest to you. 2. Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit. 3. The Twin Cities Mobile market takes all major cards, cash, and EBT. a. WIC is not currently accepted. 4. Bring a reusable bag.
 
 
 
Saint Paul
 
Seal Hi-Rise Mt. Airy Hi-Rise Every other Wednesday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm Every other Friday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
 
825 Seal Street 200 Arch Street E., Saint Paul, MN 55114 Saint Paul, MN 55130
 
 
 
 
 
Sibley Manor Apartments Valley Hi-Rise Every other Thursday, 5:15pm - 6:15pm Every other Thursday 2:00pm - 3:00pm
 
1300 W. Maynard Drive, 261 E. University Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55116 Saint Paul, MN 55130
 
Hamline Hi-Rise Ravoux Hi-Rise Every other Thursday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm Every other Friday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
 
777 Hamline Avenue N., 280 Ravoux Street Saint Paul, MN 55104 Saint Paul, MN 55103
 
Wilder Square Hi-Rise Hall-Young Plaza Every other Thursday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm Every other Friday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
 
750 Milton Street, 425 Selby Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104 Saint Paul, MN 55102
 
Front Hi-Rise 508 Humboldt Avenue Every other Wednesday, 2:00pm - 3:00pm Every other Tuesday, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
 
727 Front Avenue, 508 Humboldt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55103 Saint Paul, MN 55107
 
Lamplighter Village Dunedin Every other Friday, 4:45pm - 5:30pm Every other Tuesday 3:30pm - 4:30pm
 
1512 N. Woodbridge Street, 469 Ada Street Saint Paul, MN 55117 Saint Paul, MN 55107
 
Iowa Hi-Rise 516 Humboldt Avenue Every other Wednesday, 2:00pm - 3:00pm Every other Tuesday, 1:45pm - 2:45pm
 
1743 Iowa Avenue E., 516 Humboldt Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55106 Saint Paul, MN 55107
 
Afton View Apartments First Lutheran Church Every other Tuesday, 10:30am - 12:00pm Every other Wednesday, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
365 Winthrop Street, 463 Maria Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55119 Saint Paul, MN 55106
 
Parkway Gardens Every other Wednesday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
 
1145 Hudson Road, Saint Paul, MN 55106
 
Minneapolis
 
Riverside Plaza Lowry Towers Every other Friday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm Every other Thursday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
 
1600 S. 6th Street, 315 Lowry Avenue, N., Minneapolis, MN 55454 Minneapolis, MN 55411
 
The Cedars Lynway Manor Every other Wednesday, 11:00am - 12:30pm Every other Tuesday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
 
630 Cedar Avenue S., 2415 N. 3rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454 Minneapolis, MN 55411
 
Rainbow Terrace NorthPoint Health & Wellness Every other Thursday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm Every other Tuesday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
 
1710 Plymouth Avenue N., 1313 Penn Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN 55411 Minneapolis, MN 55411
 
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[1] American Nutrition Association (2010). Food Desert Locator. ​Nutrition Digest, 38 (2).
[2] Lee, Courtney Hall (2017).​ Grocery Store Inequity​. ​Sojourners.