Staple Foods Ordinance
Updates and Announcements
On December 7, 2018, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to amend the staple foods ordinance. The changes, effective immediately, reduce the number of required food categories from ten to six, reduce the required quantities in certain categories, and expand acceptable varieties and package sizes in others. These changes will give stores owners greater flexibility in stocking a wide variety of healthy, culturally appropriate foods that meet their customers' needs. For a list of the required staple foods items, please see this handout.
In early 2019, stores will receive written communications about the requirements and resources available to help with compliance. The Health Department will offer education, training, and technical assistance opportunities to help store owners successfully comply. More information will be posted on this site in the coming weeks.
Project Description
Increasing healthy food options at licensed grocery stores
What is the Staple Foods Ordinance?
The staple foods ordinance refers to Title 10, Chapter 203 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances. It requires licensed grocery stores (including corner stores, gas stations, dollar stores, and pharmacies) to sell a certain amount of basic food items including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, and low-fat dairy. The staple foods ordinance was originally adopted in 2008, but was amended by the Minneapolis City Council in October 2014 to set more comprehensive and clear standards for food retailers and amended again in December 2018 to align the ordinance with cultural dietary preferences.
List of required staple food items
Comparison of past to current requirements
Frequently asked questions
Ordinance Evaluation
University of Minnesota- School of Public Health: The Staple Food Ordinance Evaluation (STORE) Study.
The City of Minneapolis is partnering with the University of Minnesota-School of Public Health for a multi-year research study to evaluate the impact of the staple foods ordinance. The specific goals of the study are to assess changes in healthy food availability in stores before, during and after policy implementation and to assess changes in the nutritional quality of consumer purchases at stores. Results will be compared to a sample of grocery stores in St Paul, MN which does not have a staple foods ordinance in effect. For more information click here.
To view the University of Minnesota STORE Study please click here.
Progress
As of August 2018, 226 stores are required to stock staple foods. 38% of these stores are in full compliance with ordinance (meeting all ten requirements). Although many stores did not meet all ten requirements, 93% met at least six requirements.
Full compliance decreased by 13% since 2015, however, the number of stores meeting between six and nine requirements increased by 22%, and the number meeting fewer than five requirements decreased by 10%, indicating positive incremental progress. In addition, compliance with the fruits and vegetables (68% to 74%) and whole grains (75% to 85%) categories have increased since 2015.
Click here to read the 2018 Compliance Data and Trends Report or Summary of the key results.
Resources
For Store Owners:
- BrightSide Produce Distribution: fresh produce distribution program delivers directly to stores every Saturday
- Farmers Markets of Minneapolis: find local farmers markets any time of year
- Good Food Access Program Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant: grant program to help grocery stores and small food retailers increase the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods. Upcoming deadline: Thursday, January 17, 2019
- Resource Guide for Retail Convenience Stores: loans for business improvements, purchasing equipment, facade movement, and technical assistance
- Green Business Refrigeration Program: funding for up to 20% of the total project coast to small business owners who implement refrigeration tune-up and efficiency upgrades after receiving an on-site assessment from Xcel Energy. Businesses located in select Green Zone areas of Minneapolis will receive funding for up to 30% of the total project cost.
- Healthy Food Merchandising Kits: convenience stores can receive a fee merchandising kit that includes multiple sizes of display baskets, reusable price tag signs, plus small and large stickers for cooler doors/windows.
- For individual consultations contact: [email protected]
To view a Power Point presentation on required staple foods, please click on Pictures of Staple Food Requirements and Quantities
For Consumers:
For More Information:
Phone: 612-673-2301
Email: [email protected]
Accommodations
Should you require a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate, or information in an alternative format, please contact 612-673-2301.
Para asistencia 612-673-2700 - Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 - Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.
Last updated May 13, 2019
