Open Arms of Minnesota

SNAP Challenge: Shopping Organic

By Jeanne Foels

I chose to take a different focus for my SNAP Challenge: to spend my $30.25 at my local co-op, purchasing only organic items.

This approach may sound a little bourgeoisie. Our knee-jerk reaction is to label co-ops and organic food as accessible only to those with wealth, certainly not the province of the typical SNAP user.

I believe, however, that food is a social justice issue, and organic food – food raised without the use of chemicals – should be accessible to everyone. It’s better for each of us (avoiding ingesting chemicals that could have adverse effects on our health) and it’s better for all of us (protecting our environment, both flora and fauna, from chemical harm).

So I set out to see just how feasible it is to eat organic on a limited budget. And good news: My shopping trip was successful!

I headed to the Wedge Co-op, which is less than a mile from my house, with $30.25 to spend. Thanks to the bulk aisle and some great sale items, I left with enough organic groceries to feed myself for a week – with a few dollars to spare!

I’ll be eating a simple, vegetarian diet with good amounts of protein, whole grains and veggies. My caloric intake for the week will probably be lower than what I’m used to, but it will be good to reassess my typical portion sizes. I’ll hopefully have a full nutritional analysis of my diet before the end of the week.

Disclaimer: There are many, many privileges built into my challenge. Just to name a few: I live near a co-op, I feel comfortable shopping there, I know how to navigate the bulk aisle; I know how to purchase and use whole produce, I feel knowledgeable and comfortable enough to cook, I have a kitchen equipped with necessary tools to cook from scratch, I have the time to plan and cook from scratch; I enjoy eating fresh, whole foods, I do not have food allergies or diet restrictions. I don’t want to minimize these obstacles, because they definitely play a huge part in how people feed themselves.

I realize that organic food can be a hot-button issue, so I look forward to the conversations that might come up this week! I think robust discussion of our food system is a good thing, no matter how you feel about certain issues.


More from Open Arms

Cena entre Panas graphic

CENA ENTRE PANAS: MÉXICO

Crasqui and Open Arms Friend Chef Soleil Ramirez To Host Event Benefitting Open Arms On Sept. 23 Chefs Noé Paredes and José Alarcón will join Open Arms Cultural Meals Program Latin America Menu Consultant Chef Soleil Ramirez for a night of bold flavors, creativity,

Read More »
phyllis

Phyllis’ Story

This Is Why We’re Here, Phyllis’ Story Thanks to our dedicated donors, we’ve been able to provide medically tailored meals—meals designed by our registered dietitians and prepared with care to meet the specific nutritional needs of each client. These meals are more than just

Read More »

Minneapolis Kitchen & Campus Update Sept. l, 2025

Open Arms Minneapolis Kitchen to Reopen Following Vehicle Incident Minneapolis, MN — The Open Arms of Minnesota Minneapolis Kitchen and Campus will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2, following the motor vehicle incident that occurred Friday morning. The safety of our community remains our highest priority.

Read More »

Moveable Feast 2025: The Show Goes On

No matter the challenges, Open Arms stands ready to face the future. Together, we will gather for a special production of Moveable Feast being held on Thursday, May 15 at the historic Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. We hope you and your cast of characters will join us in support of our clients!

IN A CHAOTIC WORLD, WE CAN SHOW LOVE IN ACTION!

When life feels overwhelming, there’s one thing we can control: showing care, love, and compassion to one another. This February, Give from the Heart in honor or memory of someone special. Your gift will provide life-saving medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to someone facing a critical illness. We’ll send a heartfelt card to your honoree or their family, sharing your loving tribute.

Open Arms of Minnesota Earns Accreditation from Food Is Medicine Coalition

Open Arms of Minnesota, the Twin Cities-based non-profit dedicated to providing nourishing, medically tailored meals to individuals with critical illnesses, has earned accreditation from the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). This recognition places Open Arms among an elite group of organizations nationwide that have demonstrated a high standard of care in delivering medically tailored meals (MTM).

End Of Year Giving Graphic

Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!