Open Arms of Minnesota and Fairview to Host Inaugural Minnesota Food is Medicine Summit
MINNEAPOLIS – Open Arms of Minnesota and Fairview are proud to announce the inaugural Minnesota Food is Medicine Summit, taking place Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Woodbury Central Park in Woodbury, Minnesota.
As the connection between food, health, and community wellbeing becomes increasingly critical across Minnesota, this groundbreaking summit will build on the state’s growing Food is Medicine momentum. The event will convene leaders from healthcare, health plans, funding organizations, public health, research institutions, community-based organizations, and government agencies.
“We’re thrilled to launch Minnesota’s first Food is Medicine Summit alongside Fairview and our tremendous sponsors,” said Open Arms CEO Leah Hebert Welles. “This gathering will bring together some of the brightest minds from healthcare, community organizations, and government to advance solutions that recognize food as fundamental medicine. At Open Arms, we’ve seen firsthand how medically tailored meals can transform health outcomes for critically ill individuals, and this summit will help us grow our impact as a community.”
The summit will bring together 250 Food is Medicine champions from diverse sectors to share insights, strengthen collaborations, and advance evidence-based solutions that improve health outcomes throughout Minnesota.
“For over a decade, Fairview has partnered with community organizations and local growers to ensure healthy, dignified, and culturally significant food access for patient and community health and wellbeing,” shared Diane Tran, Executive Director of the Fairview Center for Community Health Equity. “We look forward to convening this fall with other healthcare providers and organizations across the state to continue innovating to address the social drivers of health through collective impact, research, and advocacy.”
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Location: Woodbury Central Park, Woodbury, Minnesota
- Expected Attendance: 250 participants
The summit is sponsored by Fairview, the Minnesota Department of Health, George Family Foundation, Second Harvest Heartland, Allina and HealthPartners. Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available.
Registration details will be announced soon. For sponsorship information, click here. For additional details or questions, contact Emilie Cagnazzo at [email protected].
