New Willmar halal food shelf serves families in need

For immigrant and Muslim families in Willmar, a new halal food shelf is helping fill both empty pantries and overlooked needs.

The food shelf opened on July 25 and served about 40 families during its first weekend. 

It was launched by Community Connector Services, a nonprofit organization in Willmar providing food assistance, employment support, education, and more. 

Executive Director Abdifatah Mohamed says while the food shelf is also open for those outside the Muslim community, the goal is to address food insecurity and religious needs of immigrant and underserved families. 

"The need in our community is urgent and growing. Traditional food shelves often don't offer halal certified options,” Mohamed said. 

The new halal food shelf in Willmar opened on July 25 and served about 40 families during its first weekend.Here is Abdifatah Mohamed, executive director of Community Connecter Services.

Courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland

Halal refers to food that meets Islamic dietary guidelines, which include ensuring the animal is healthy at the time of butchering, and avoiding prohibited items like pork and cross-contamination with non-halal foods.

Second Harvest Heartland, which is supporting the food shelf, says it has identified several focus communities throughout the state, one being Willmar. 

“Over the last several months, we've engaged with community leaders and other community stakeholders via listening sessions to understand the need, barriers, and discuss creative ways to make food more accessible to those who need it,” said Ethan Neal, director of partner operations at Second Harvest Heartland. 

The organization says a recent statewide hunger study found 1 in 5 Minnesota households cannot afford the food they need. 

Second Harvest Heartland says it provided a grant to Community Connector Services to help launch the new food shelf, covering equipment costs. The organization is now a partner that will receive food distributions from Second Harvest Heartland on a regularly scheduled basis.

“By opening the food shelf now, we are offering dignity, inclusivity and support during a time when prices are high and resources are stretched,” Mohamed said.

The food shelf is open Fridays from 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 436 Litchfield Ave. SW, Willmar.