Building a Stronger, More Climate-Smart Food System in West Central Minnesota
New statewide funding is creating opportunities to strengthen Minnesota’s food system—from the way food is grown and transported to how it reaches our tables and how food waste is managed.
Here in West Central Minnesota, we are bringing together farmers, food businesses, community organizations, institutions, local governments, and residents to identify our region’s priorities and turn promising ideas into collaborative projects.
Whether you grow food, serve it, distribute it, support local communities, or simply care about where your food comes from, there is a place for you in this work.
What is Minnesota’s Climate-Smart Food Systems initiative?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Minnesota $200 million to reduce climate pollution across the state’s food system. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is leading the initiative in partnership with other state agencies, local governments, and Tribal Nations.
Funding is being distributed through several areas of work, including:
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Climate-friendly agricultural practices
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More efficient food and beverage manufacturing
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Cleaner refrigeration systems
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Cleaner vehicles and farm equipment
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Prevention of wasted food and improved organics management
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Food sovereignty and stronger local food economies
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Peatland protection and restoration
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Together, these investments are intended to reduce climate pollution while building a more resilient, efficient, and locally connected food system. The statewide initiative will continue through September 2029. Learn more from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
What does this mean for West Central Minnesota?
One portion of the statewide investment is supporting regional food networks across Minnesota. These networks help communities work together across county and organizational boundaries, identify regional priorities, and develop projects that respond to local needs.
PartnerSHIP 4 Health received funding to coordinate the West Central Regional Food Network, building upon the work of the West Central MN Food Council.
The regional coordination period began in September 2025 and continues through September 2028. This work gives our region an opportunity to:
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Strengthen relationships among people and organizations working throughout the food system
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Bring regional voices and needs into statewide conversations
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Identify shared challenges that no single organization or county can solve alone
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Develop collaborative pilot projects
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Connect partners with information, resources, and funding opportunities
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Build readiness for future local food systems investments
Our current focus is on updating the regional work plan and developing potential pilot projects for fall 2026. Additional information will be shared as those priorities and projects take shape.
Building on a community-informed regional plan
This work did not begin with the new funding.
The West Central MN Food Council was formed following a regional planning process that brought community members and food-system partners together to identify opportunities for strengthening our food system.
The resulting 2023–2028 West Central Minnesota Regional Food Systems Plan identified priorities such as:
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Improving communication among food-system partners
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Helping residents find and purchase locally produced food
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Supporting farmers in marketing their products
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Expanding support for emerging farmers
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Reducing food waste
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Improving access to healthy food
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Strengthening connections between producers and institutions
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Investing in the infrastructure needed by local farms and food businesses
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The West Central Regional Food Network builds upon this foundation while creating space for new partners, changing needs, and emerging opportunities across a larger region.
Our 16-county region
The West Central Regional Food Network serves:
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Becker
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Benton
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Cass
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Clay
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Crow Wing
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Douglas
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Grant
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Morrison
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Otter Tail
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Pope
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Stearns
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Stevens
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Todd
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Traverse
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Wadena
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Wilkin
Because food systems cross county lines, regional collaboration helps us connect people, resources, markets, and ideas more effectively.
Who should participate?
A strong regional food system requires many different perspectives. We welcome participation from:
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Farmers, growers, ranchers, and emerging producers
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Food entrepreneurs, processors, distributors, and retailers
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Farmers markets, food cooperatives, and local food initiatives
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Schools, hospitals, senior-living communities, and food-service professionals
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Food shelves, community organizations, and nonprofits
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Public-health, economic-development, conservation, and local-government partners
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Tribal Nations and culturally specific organizations
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Residents who care about local food, healthy communities, and the future of our region
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You do not need to be a food-systems expert or represent a large organization to contribute. Lived experience, community knowledge, practical ideas, and local relationships are all valuable.
Get involved locally
The most valuable way to contribute right now is to join a working group.
Working groups give participants an opportunity to explore a specific regional need, help shape a potential project, and connect with others who want to move that work forward. Participation may be especially helpful for people who have:
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Experience or knowledge related to a regional food-system challenge
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A project idea that could benefit multiple communities or counties
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Relationships with people who should be included in the conversation
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Professional skills, community knowledge, or lived experience to contribute
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An interest in helping a collaborative project move from an idea toward action
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Other ways to participate may include attending Food Council meetings or events, sharing regional needs and project ideas, joining the Council, or helping connect the network with additional partners.
To learn more or discuss where you might fit, contact:
Jason Bergstrand
PartnerSHIP 4 Health
Stay informed about future funding opportunities
The Climate-Smart Food Systems initiative includes multiple grant programs, with opportunities being released at different times by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and other state agencies.
These opportunities may be relevant to farmers, food businesses, manufacturers, local governments, nonprofits, institutions, Tribal Nations, food-waste programs, and other food-system partners. Eligibility, timelines, and funding requirements will vary by program.
For the most current and authoritative announcements, visit the MPCA’s Climate-Smart Food Systems webpage and subscribe to its email alerts.
The West Central MN Food Council will also help share locally relevant information and connect regional partners when opportunities align with emerging projects and priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the West Central MN Food Council receive the full $200 million?
No. The $200 million is a statewide award supporting several different programs and project areas. PartnerSHIP 4 Health received a portion of the funding to coordinate the West Central Regional Food Network, building upon the Food Council’s work.
Is this work only for environmental organizations?
No. A climate-smart food system also involves agriculture, economic development, public health, food access, transportation, infrastructure, waste reduction, local businesses, and community resilience. Many kinds of organizations and community members have a role to play.
Is funding currently available for local projects?
Funding opportunities are being released at different times throughout the statewide initiative. Some opportunities may be open now, while others are still being developed. Visit the MPCA Climate-Smart Food Systems webpage for current information and email alerts.
How can I learn more?
Email Jason Bergstrand at Jason.Bergstrand@claycountymn.gov to ask questions, share an idea, or learn about current opportunities to participate.
Do I need to have a fully developed project to get involved?
No. You can participate by identifying a need, sharing your experience, contributing to a working group, connecting us with other partners, or helping develop an idea collaboratively.