Restaurants offering free food in MN during SNAP benefit lapse: List
A person stands next to a full shopping cart. Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa (Photo by Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - If no deal is reached to end the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits, funds that help pay for groceries, could run out for families in Minnesota and across the country come Nov. 1.
More than 440,000 people in Minnesota depend on SNAP for groceries, with half the recipients being seniors and children.
Where to get free food during SNAP benefit lapse
Local perspective:
Several Minnesota restaurants and organizations have stepped up to offer free food for those in need during the SNAP benefit lapse. Here's a list.
Buzz Coffee and Cafe in Burnsville
The Buzz will host a free community chili night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. All are welcome. The restaurant will be serving chicken chili, veggie chili, cornbread, sodas, milk and plain waffles and eggs for children 12 and under.
Those who plan to attend are encouraged to sign up for free here, so The Buzz can plan for food quantities.
Whiskey Creek BBQ in Cottage Grove
This food truck will be offering "Whiskey Creek meals" for free for those who ask for it — no questions asked, a Facebook post says. It includes a pound and a half of pulled pork, two medium sides and four cornbread buns.
Whiskey Creek BBQ says on Tuesday, they handed out 21 Whiskey Creek meals, feeding approximately 84 people.
Those interested in helping Whiskey Creek BBQ feed more people can donate at the food truck or via Venmo. Find information here.
Tater Top Food Truck in Ostego
The Tater Top Food Truck in Ostego is offering a free meal for anyone in need, no questions asked.
Just let the crew know you'd like a "community meal," and they'll take care of the rest.
The truck serves loaded baked potatos, loaded tots, loaded fries, and loaded cheese curds. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
Brass Rail in Gandy
Known for its boasted chicken, Brass Rail in Grandy is offering help to anyone experiencing food insecurity due to the government shutdown.
Reach out to them by emailing brassrailchicken@gmail,com and they will help or find someone who can.
More information can be found on their Facebook page.
Heights Pizza Man in Columbia Heights, Fridley, New Brighton and Northeast Minneapolis
Starting on Monday, Heights Pizza Man in Columbia Heights, Fridley, New Brighton and Northeast Minneapolis, will serve pizza slices, salads and cheesebreads available for those in need, no questions asked.
Staff say there will be no questions asked as long as it doesn't feel like they are being manipulated, at which point they may ask for a SNAP or WIC card. They plan to keep providing food as long as their budget allows.
More information, including a Venmo link where people can donate to, can be found on their Facebook page.
Duluth's Best Bread in Duluth
Duluth's Best Bread says children age 12 and younger will eat free from Nov. 4 until SNAP benefits are restored. Children can stop by to get a day-old loaf of bread or pastry for free, according to a social media post.
"Just mention the "DBB KIDS Special" and our team will take care of the rest. No questions asked, no purchase necessary," according to Duluth's Best Bread's post.
Lock and Dam Eatery in Hastings
Lock and Dam Eatery in Hastings will serve free meals to children and adults on Tuesdays starting on Nov. 4, according to a Facebook post. Children can order off the kids menu and adults can order spaghetti or fettuccine Alfredo (with proof of SNAP and a matching ID).
Randys Gluten Free in Oakdale
Randys Gluten Free is offering children under 16 with Celiac or wheat sensitivities fresh and frozen pizzas, according to a post on Facebook.
Reach out to Randy by calling 651-335-3353 or email randy@randyspizza.com.
Shakopee Bowl in Shakopee
Children will eat free at Shakopee Bowl starting Nov. 1 until SNAP benefits are restored, Shakopee Bowl said on social media.
Any child who goes to the restaurant can get a free hamburger kid's meal. It's limited to one per child and they child must be present for dine-in meals. No purchase is necessary and no questions will be asked.
Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul
Hope Breakfast Bar's St. Paul location will be offering free pancakes for families in need between 7-9 a.m. starting on Nov. 3. Any family can stop in and get hot, fresh pancakes to take home — no questions asked, according to an Instagram post.
Eggroll Queen food truck
The beloved food truck has posted on its social media that it will be offering "free community meals" while a SNAP benefit pause is in effect.
The menu includes fried rice, pork stir-fry and chicken dumplings, and they can be contacted through their official Facebook page.
The Nook and Shamrocks in St. Paul
The Nook and Shamrocks will be offering free kids meals, Monday through Wednesday, beginning Nov. 1. Kids' meals include either a hamburger or cheeseburger, fries and an apple.
To place a to-go order, as this offer is not available on the online platforms, people should call 651-698-4347. The restaurant is requesting anyone bring a photo ID and SNAP card upon pick up.
Dairy Queen in Stewartville
Dairy Queen in Stewartville is offering free meals to families starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 1. They'll serve one meal per person while supplies last, no questions asked, according to a Facebook post.
Taco John's in Thief River Falls
Taco John's in Thief River Falls is offering anyone impacted by the government shutdown can head to this location and order the "Community Support Special." The special includes a free beef or bean burrito and Jr. Potato Oles. The special will be from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 and is available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Are we missing a restaurant or organization offering free food during the government shutdown? Email us at fox9news@fox.com.
How to get free or discounted groceries
What you can do:
Here's a list of organizations offering free or discounted access to groceries during the SNAP benefits lapse:
DoorDash SNAP assistance
DoorDash has launched an emergency food response to help those impacted by the lapse in SNAP benefits. DoorDash will deliver 1 million free meals through food banks and waive fees on grocery orders for an estimated 300,000 SNAP recipients.
DoorDash is waiving merchant fees for all 300+ Project DASH partner food banks, food pantries, and community organizations nationwide throughout November, equal to an estimated 1 million meals.
Customers who have a valid SNAP/EBT card linked to their DoorDash account will receive $0 delivery fee and $0 service fee on one order placed at select SNAP-enabled stores on DoorDash:
- Sprouts
- Dollar General
- Schnucks
- Food Lion
- Giant Foods
- The GIANT Company
- Hannaford
- Stop & Shop
- Hy-Vee
- Giant Eagle
- Wegmans
Offer valid from Nov. 1-30, 2025. Eligible customers will need to use promo code SNAPDD to redeem. Limit one per person. The offer is not valid for orders containing alcohol.
GoPuff SNAP assistance
GoPuff is donating up to $10 million in free groceries to hundreds of thousands of SNAP recipients by way of a $50 credit for groceries.
The credit will be broken into two during the month of November. To redeem, add your SNAP/EBT card to a GoPuff account and add eligible groceries to your cart.
- From Nov. 1-15, 2025: Use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and FREE delivery.
- From Nov. 16-30, 2025: Use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and FREE delivery.
The credit will be available to the first 200,000 users each time period.
Government shutdown impacting SNAP
The backstory:
Funding for SNAP benefits is expected to run out in November if federal lawmakers are unable to reach a deal to end the government shutdown.
At the crux of the battle, Democrats are pushing their Republican colleagues to restore healthcare tax credits eliminated under the "One, Big, Beautiful" omnibus bill passed earlier this year. Democrats say these tax credits save people on the Affordable Care Act thousands of dollars each year. Republicans seem willing to negotiate on the tax credits but demand the Democrats pass a government funding bill first.
At the same time, attorneys general from 22 states, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, filed a lawsuit this week, demanding the Trump administration use contingency funds set aside for SNAP.
By the numbers:
If SNAP benefits expire in November, demand is expected to surge at local food shelves. Food shelves are already gearing up for the increased traffic, with the Open Door Pantry in Eagan expecting up to 500 more families. Over the weekend, the pantry saw a deluge of donations.
RELATED: SNAP funding ending during government shutdown: How you can help
Officials say 440,000 Minnesotans depend on SNAP each month, with more than half of the recipients being children and seniors.
On Monday, Gov. Walz announced the state would send $4 million in emergency funding to support food shelves. But that funding is only a fraction of the more than $70 million budget for SNAP in Minnesota.