The SuperShelf model reimagines food shelves as welcoming, grocery store-style environments where people can access healthy, appealing, and culturally appropriate food with dignity and choice. Thanks to a partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension program, our Food Mart underwent a remarkable transformation designed to put participants first.
Together, PROP and University of Minnesota Extension staff redesigned the Food Mart’s layout, updated signage, established food categorization standards, and secured new equipment, including a three-door meat freezer. Their collaborative efforts helped create a space that feels familiar, welcoming, and empowering.
Today, visitors to the Food Mart shop much like they would in a traditional grocery store. The space features refrigerator and freezer aisles, a produce section, non-perishable food areas, and clearly organized categories that make it easy to find the foods that best meet their family’s needs.
“Our Food Mart was intentionally designed to provide clients with a dignified shopping experience through freedom of selection,” said Prima Sisinni, PROP’s Director of Development and Communications. “What makes it a SuperShelf is that we have refrigerators and freezers that are fully stocked. Clients get to self-select their meats and dairy products as well as frozen and ready-to-go refrigerated items.”
One Year of Impact
In the first year as a SuperShelf, the results have been extraordinary:
- 10,255 Visits
- 5,185 individuals served
- 909,798 pounds of food distributed
Behind each of these numbers is a story: a family stretching a budget, a senior accessing nutritious groceries, or a neighbor finding support during a challenging time.
Driven by Shared Values
The SuperShelf model is built on a commitment to ensuring that every participant can access food in the easiest and most dignified way possible.
These values guide the work every day:
Good Food
Everyone deserves reliable access to healthy, appealing, and culturally appropriate food.
Respect for All
A welcoming, positive, and client-centered experience helps ensure every person is treated with dignity and respect.
Collaborative Partnerships
Transformational change happens when organizations, volunteers, donors, and community partners work together toward a common goal.
Evidence-Based Practices
SuperShelf uses proven strategies and continuous evaluation to improve food access and participant experiences.
Systemic Thinking
Addressing hunger requires improving not only food access today but also the systems and policies that shape food security in the future.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate one year as a SuperShelf, we are grateful for the staff, volunteers, donors, community partners, and participants who have made this success possible. The transformation of the Food Mart has been about more than physical improvements. It has been about creating an experience where neighbors are welcomed, respected, and empowered to choose the foods that work best for them and their families.
Together, we have distributed more than 909,000 pounds of food, served more than 5,000 individuals, and created a Food Mart that reflects the dignity, choice, and community spirit at the heart of PROP’s mission.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to serve our community for years to come.
