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Last year, Minnesotans made more than 9 million visits to food shelves and demand is not slowing down. With 2026 set to be the fifth year in a row the number of food shelf visits broke an annual record, according to The Food Group, a hunger relief nonprofit in Minnesota. 

MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Food Group Executive Director Sophia Lenarz-Coy about what is driving the growing need for food assistance.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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Sophia Lenarz-Coy, the Executive Director of the Food Group, explains how rising food prices and the federal immigration surge drove more Minnesotans to food shelves for support.

Food shelf demand sets new records in Minnesota 

Boxes of snacks sit on a shelf with the sign, "One item per household."

Food shelf demand sets new records in Minnesota

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