VEAP Food Pantry
Bloomington Choose your own groceries once a month — produce, meat, dairy, bread, staples — plus household items like diapers and toilet paper when in stock. Home delivery in some ZIP codes.
- Name or contact info only
- Free
- Confidential
- Spanish-speaking staff
What they ask: Brief household questions by phone to set up your record. No income test, and they never ask why you’re visiting.
VEAP says undocumented neighbors are welcome to use all its services and it doesn’t share your information. For Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and parts of south Minneapolis.
VEAP Mobile Food Pantry
Bloomington Free fresh produce and groceries handed out at community sites while supplies last. The Bloomington stop is at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center — check VEAP’s calendar for dates.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
- Anonymous
What they ask: No registration and no questions — just come during the scheduled time.
Free school meals & summer meals
Bloomington Every Bloomington Public Schools student gets a free breakfast and lunch each school day. In summer, free meals for all kids 18 and under at selected schools.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
- Info in Spanish
What they ask: No application needed for meals. An optional benefits form (to lower other school fees) asks about household income.
The optional form has no immigration question, and a Social Security number isn’t required.
WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
Bloomington Healthy foods on a card (produce, milk, eggs, whole grains, baby food, formula), plus nutrition and breastfeeding support, for pregnant people, new parents, babies and kids under 5.
- Asks for ID or paperwork
- Free
- Info in Spanish
What they ask: Proof of identity, address and income (or of Medical Assistance or SNAP), plus health questions at the appointment.
You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen, and WIC does not ask about immigration status. For Bloomington, Edina and Richfield residents.
Bloomington–Eden Prairie Meals on Wheels
Bloomington Hot noon meals delivered Monday–Friday by volunteers for older, ill or disabled residents who can’t shop or cook. About $5.50 a meal, with low or no cost if needed.
- Name or contact info only
What they ask: Your name and home address to sign up by phone.
Free weekday dinner at Christ the King (Loaves & Fishes)
Bloomington A free hot meal Monday–Friday, 5–6 pm, all year, right in the neighborhood. Meals to go are handed out at the main doors under the overhang, and Loaves & Fishes says you can also eat there. Take as many meals as your household needs.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
What they ask: Nothing — no sign-up, no ID. “All are welcome,” the church says.
Closed some holidays, including Thanksgiving and the day after — Loaves & Fishes posts closures on its website.
Drive-up food shelf at St. Bonaventure (St. Vincent de Paul)
Bloomington Drive into the church’s south lot and volunteers bring fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat to your car. Tuesdays 11 am–1 pm and Thursdays 2:30–4:30 pm; each household can come twice a month. No appointment needed.
- Ask when you call
- Call to confirm
- Free
What they ask: The parish page doesn’t say. A 211 directory listing says photo ID and a utility bill, for Bloomington and Richfield residents — ask when you call.
Free bread shelf at St. Bonaventure (St. Anthony’s Bread)
Bloomington A self-serve shelf of free bread in the church’s north entryway (Door 5). Take what you need.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
- Anonymous
What they ask: Nothing — it’s a self-serve shelf.
The parish says “anytime” — in practice, when the building is open.
Free food giveaway at Nativity of Mary (St. Vincent de Paul)
Bloomington A free drive-through food giveaway in the church’s south parking lot, usually the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, 8:45–10 am. Volunteers load food into your car; VEAP, which supplies the food, says you can also come on foot, by bike or in a wheelchair.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
What they ask: Nothing — food goes to all who come. Limit two families per vehicle.
Dates shift around church events — this fall: Oct 31, Nov 14 and Nov 28. Their website posts the current dates.
Food in the ’Hood at Cedar Valley Church (groceries + hot meal)
Bloomington Pick your own free groceries — dairy, meat, bread, produce and pantry food — and stay for a hot meal. 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 5–7 pm (Door 2). No appointment, no income requirement.
- Asks for ID or paperwork
- Call to confirm
- Free
What they ask: First visit: bring ID and fill out a short form with information about your dependents (per the state’s listing). After that you can register ahead.
Good in the ’Hood’s own page just says everyone is welcome — if you don’t have ID, ask what they accept.
Normandale Campus Cupboard (free groceries, open to the community)
Bloomington A free pantry at Normandale Community College with shelf-stable, fresh and frozen food. Choose your own items and come as often as you need. Fall hours: Mon–Thu 8 am–5 pm, Fri 8 am–4:30 pm.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
What they ask: Nothing for community members — you don’t need a Normandale ID.
Room A1565, Activities Building, first floor. Hours change by semester, and it may close during college breaks.
Bloomington Community Pantry (24/7, take what you need)
Bloomington An outdoor take-what-you-need pantry, open around the clock on an honor system. In freezing weather, canned goods are brought inside from 8 pm to 10 am so they don’t freeze.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Call to confirm
- Free
- Anonymous
What they ask: Nothing — it’s an honor system.
Stocked by donations — if you’re able, leave something for the next neighbor.
SNAP food benefits (EBT card)
Hennepin County / metro Monthly money on an EBT card for groceries, for households with low income. Apply online at MNbenefits, by phone, or at the county office in Bloomington.
- Asks for detailed personal info
- Free
- Info in Spanish
What they ask: A full benefits application — household, income and expenses — plus proof of identity and an interview.
Some immigrants qualify depending on status, and federal rules changed in 2026. U.S.-born children can get SNAP even if their parents can’t. If you’re worried, talk with free legal help (see Immigrant help) before applying.
Free weekday dinner at Hope Presbyterian, Richfield (Loaves & Fishes)
Hennepin County / metro A free hot meal to go, Monday–Friday, 5–6 pm. Enter the parking lot from Portland Ave or 4th Ave S; meals are handed out at Door 5.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
What they ask: Nothing listed — Loaves & Fishes serves anyone in need, as many meals as you need.
Closed some holidays, including Thanksgiving and the day after.
Groceries To Go! in Richfield (free monthly groceries)
Hennepin County / metro About 25 pounds of free produce and pantry items per family, one Tuesday a month, 1–4 pm or until the food runs out, at the Richfield Community Center. Run by the City of Richfield with VEAP; you don’t need to live in Richfield.
- Name or contact info only
- Free
What they ask: Only how many people are in your household and their age groups. No proof of address or income.
Remaining 2026 dates: Oct 27, Nov 24 and Dec 15.
Minnesota Food Helpline
Minnesota Free help by phone, text or chat to find food shelves, meal programs and low-cost groceries near you, and step-by-step help applying for SNAP.
- No name or paperwork needed
- Free
- Spanish-speaking staff
What they ask: Their online food map needs only an address or ZIP code. SNAP help means sharing what that application asks.
Minnesota’s Food Shelf Bill of Rights says you can get food at any food shelf without proving where you live or your nationality.