Fare For All, a nonprofit pop-up grocery store, announced it will cease operations in the metro area after February 2026. The program, which currently provides affordable grocery options in nine locations including St. Paul, Eagan, and White Bear Lake, will redirect its efforts to support rural communities in Greater Minnesota. This decision, communicated to shoppers on Monday, reflects the changing dynamics of the grocery market and the need to allocate resources effectively.
The Fare For All initiative has offered packs of fresh produce and frozen meat at discounts of up to 40 percent off retail prices since its inception in 2002. Its model, which requires no pre-registration, has made it accessible to a wide audience. However, rising grocery prices and increased competition from discount retailers such as Aldi, Costco, and Walmart have impacted participation levels. According to Sophia Lenarz-Coy, Executive Director of The Food Group, the program has seen a 36 percent decline in service to households, dropping from 53,317 households in 2018 to 34,343 in 2025.
Challenges in the Grocery Landscape
The grocery landscape has shifted significantly since Fare For All adopted its current model in 2008. Lenarz-Coy remarked that the availability of affordable options has reduced participation at Fare For All locations. She noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many sites did not return to pre-pandemic attendance levels. The organization also faces challenges in food sourcing, with increased competition for inventory making it harder to secure affordable products.
“We started to think about how we best invest our resources,” Lenarz-Coy stated. The decision to focus on rural communities stems from a commitment to equitable grocery access, particularly in areas that lack sufficient grocery store options.
The Fare For All program’s discontinuation in metro areas has evoked mixed reactions from the community. Feedback on Fare For All’s Facebook page includes expressions of sadness and concern from users who rely on the service. One commenter noted, “I live on social security and this makes me very sad as it really helped me,” while another stated, “Bad bad timing! I am positive that inner city folks could sure benefit from Fare for All services during this time.”
Future Directions for The Food Group
Despite the discontinuation of Fare For All in the metro area, The Food Group remains committed to addressing food accessibility challenges. The Twin Cities Mobile Market, which operates as a grocery store bus, will continue its service in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
In February, Fare For All will maintain all its scheduled stops, providing an opportunity for community members to stock up on discounted food before the service ends. The final distribution is set for February 13, 2026, at the West Seventh Community Center in St. Paul. After that, the program will focus solely on nine locations outside the metro area, including North Branch, Mankato, and St. Cloud.
The Food Group’s mission extends beyond grocery distribution, as it partners with food shelves, community organizations, and farmers across Minnesota to promote food justice. Shoppers can stay informed about the changes and future offerings through the organization’s website at thefoodgroupmn.org/groceries/fare-for-all/schedule/.
In an email sent to Fare For All customers, The Food Group acknowledged the impact of this decision. “We know this news may be disappointing, and we want to acknowledge the real impact this change may have for you and your household,” the message stated. As the organization navigates these changes, it continues to prioritize the needs of communities facing food insecurity.
