RES 26-25City of
Ells
River
City of Elk River
City Council
Resolution 26-25
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River expressing support for the joint
application by CAER, The Monticello Help Center, and The Big Lake Food Shelf to the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Climate -Smart Food Systems Prevention of Wasted
Food and Food Rescue Grant for the acquisition of a refrigerated box truck
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has grant funding through its Climate -
Smart Food Systems Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue Grant program, to support projects
that decreases wasted food and rescues for human consumption in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, CAER (Community Aid Elk River), the Monticello Help Center, and the Big Lake Food Shelf
have prepared a joint grant application to the MPCA for the acquisition of a refrigerated box truck to
enable perishable food rescue and distribution across Sherburne and Wright Counties; and
IHEREAS, CAER is headquartered in the City of Elk River and has served as a cornerstone of the
community's social safety net for over 40 years, providing food assistance, clothing, and emergency
resources to residents across the region; and
WHEREAS, CAER achieved certified SuperShelf status in 2022, transforming its operations into a
dignified, shopper -centered food access experience that prioritizes fresh, nutritious, and culturally
connected foods; and
WHEREAS, the City of Elk River is the Sherburne County Seat, with a population exceeding 27,000
residents, and the City Council recognizes that food security is essential to the health, stability, and
economic vitality of the community; and
WHEREAS, Sherburne County has experienced a 242 percent increase in food shelf visits in recent
years, placing extraordinary demand on the capacity of local food shelves to source, transport, and
distribute nutritious food; and
WHEREAS, the current lack of refrigerated transport infrastructure in the region prevents local food
shelves from rescuing and distributing perishable food items including dairy, produce, meat, and
prepared meals, resulting in the disposal of wholesome food that could otherwise nourish families in
need; and
WHEREAS, diverting edible food from the waste stream reduces landfill volume and greenhouse gas
emissions, supporting the State of Minnesota's goal of reducing food waste by 50 percent by 2030; and
WHEREAS, the multi -organizational, multi -county collaborative structure of this application avoids
duplication, maximizes the efficient use of grant resources, and creates shared accountability among
partner organizations; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project includes food education and waste prevention outreach components
that will benefit residents and businesses across the service area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River, Minnesota, as follows:
Section 1. The City Council hereby expresses its strong support for the joint application submitted by the
CAER Food Shelf, the Monticello Help Center, and the Big Lake Food Shelf to the MPCA's Climate -Smart
Food Systems Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue Grant for the acquisition of a refrigerated box
truck.
Section 2. The City Council finds that this project advances the health, welfare, and sustainability
interests of the City of Elk River and the broader Sherburne and Wright County region.
Section 3. The Mayor and City Administrator are authorized to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the
MPCA in support of the grant application.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and adopted this 6th day of April 2026.
eJnietz, M or
ATTEST:
2=
Jolene Richter, Deputy Clerk