St. Paul Public Schools’ bright green food truck, a vibrant and playful vehicle adorned with purple and blue octopus arms, has become a beacon of nourishment and community support in neighborhoods like Frogtown. On a recent day, the truck was stationed outside the Frogtown Community Center, providing much-needed meals at no cost to children and teens aged 18 and under.
Unlike the typical food truck experience, where patrons pay for gourmet meals on the go, this truck serves a far more vital purpose—addressing food insecurity among St. Paul’s youth. Children and adults alike gathered on the grass nearby, enjoying meals served in baskets lined with red and white checkered paper. The offerings included yellow rice, fresh vegetable salad, and sambusas—a popular East African pastry filled with meat. Seven-year-old Eli Kithinji, a regular visitor to the truck, eagerly described the sambusas as tasting like “meat and toast mixed together.”
The food truck initiative, launched in 2022, has seen remarkable growth. In its first summer, the truck served about 110 meals daily. This year, that number has more than tripled to 360 meals per day, feeding over 300 children across five different sites throughout the city. The success of this initiative underscores the critical role such programs play in communities where many families rely on school meals for basic nutrition during the academic year. Funded by the federal Summer Food Service Program, these meals ensure that children do not go hungry during the summer months when school is out.
In addition to the food truck, St. Paul Public Schools serves meals at 60 locations, including schools, recreation centers, and libraries. Between breakfast, lunch, and snacks, the district provided approximately 6,300 meals daily from June through August this year. For adults, a meal from the truck costs just under nine dollars—a small price for the peace of mind it brings to parents like Kristina Kithinji, Eli’s mother. She appreciates the convenience of not having to worry about summer lunches and enjoys the opportunity to be outdoors, share a meal, and connect with others in the community.
For some families, like that of Aquiyla Giles, who has five children, the food truck has become a daily ritual. “My kids like it,” Giles said. “They ask to come every day.” The program’s expansion in 2024 aims to reach even more youth in neighborhoods where at least 50 percent of households qualify for free and reduced meals, further addressing the food insecurity that affects two out of every three students in St. Paul schools.
Stacy Koppen, the district’s Director of Nutrition Services, emphasized the significance of the summer meals program. “Some of our students tell us that the only place they get meals is at school,” she said, highlighting the importance of the food truck in bridging this gap during the summer. Recognizing that transportation can be a barrier for many families, the district introduced the food truck to bring meals directly to different sites throughout the week—a solution that has proven effective. “A lot of parents are working. They’re trying to make ends meet,” Koppen noted. “Being mobile and getting around to different parts of the community has been a real solution that we have seen work really well.”
Koppen also stressed that good nutrition during the summer is crucial for students’ health and academic readiness. “During the summer months, learning doesn’t stop, and students’ health needs don’t end,” she said. Ensuring that kids return to school healthy and ready to learn is a key goal of the program.
Food insecurity is a widespread issue in Minnesota, where one in seven children under 18 does not have consistent access to food. Dr. Liz Placzek, a pediatrician at Children’s Minnesota, warned of the serious consequences of childhood malnutrition, including lower bone density, higher rates of iron deficiency, and increased risk of diseases typically seen in adults, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. “Most brain development happens in childhood,” she explained, “and hungry children have trouble concentrating.” She added that the stress of food insecurity can negatively impact children’s growth and overall health. At Children’s Minnesota, all patients are screened for food insecurity, underscoring the importance of early intervention.
The demand for food assistance has been rising statewide. In 2023, food shelves in Minnesota recorded 7.5 million visits, with 2024 on track to surpass that figure. Sophia Lenarz-Coy, Executive Director of The Food Group, a statewide nonprofit, attributed this increase to inflation and rising food prices, which have stretched families’ budgets thin. “SNAP dollars are simply not going as far, so it’s kind of like everyone’s using a patchwork of resources to get through the month,” she said. Programs like the one offered by St. Paul Public Schools, which are not based on income, help create dignity and reduce the stigma associated with food insecurity by not singling out families based on socioeconomic status.
As lunchtime concluded at Frogtown Community Center, the food truck staff prepared to move on to its next stop at Phalen Beach House. For James Sterling, a long-time St. Paul Public Schools employee and a second-year food truck staff member, the work is deeply fulfilling. “It is the coolest thing,” he said. “I feel like I’m accomplishing a mission, to make sure all the kids are fed.”
The impact of this initiative goes beyond just filling empty stomachs—it fosters a sense of community, offers relief to struggling families, and ensures that St. Paul’s children are healthy, happy, and ready to succeed.