History of Fare For All

Fare For All began in Minnesota in 1986 under the name of Fare Share. Fare Share was part of SHARE, the nationwide network of Cooperative Food Purchasing Programs. It was run locally by Ramsey Action Program (RAP), a non-profit in Saint Paul.

RAP started Fare Share in order to encourage volunteerism and stretch food budgets. When it first began there were twenty host sites; this number grew to approximately two hundred sites within a five year period. At its peak in the early 1990s the program distributed an average of 40,000 packages per month within Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, and South Dakota

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The program began to experience difficulties in the mid 1990s, due to high rental and food costs. In August of 2002 RAP asked the Emergency Foodshelf Network to take over Fare Share. Distribution numbers continued to struggle as the program was rebuilt under different management.

In January of 2007 Fare For All launched a new program, Fare For All Express. While maintaining the Traditional program model, Express enabled people to buy their food without pre-payment. This initiative has resulted in new growth for the program. Currently there are 95 distribution locations within Minnesota. New sites continue to open as there is an increased demand.

Q: May I use my Credit or Debit Card to Purchase Food?

      A: Yes, absolutely.  Fare For All accepts: credit & debit cards, cash, money orders, and EBT funds. 

           We do not accept personal checks at  Express locations.

Q: May I go to more than one site, even if I don’t live in that county?

      A: You may go to any site you desire.  There are no boundary restrictions. 

           You may also go to multiple sites a month.

Q: How  is Fare For All able to offer food at such a low cost?

      A: Fare For All uses a cooperative food purchasing model that utilizes volume purchasing power. 

           Fare For All purchases the produce and meat in large quantities at whole sale price. 

           Participants are then able to buy their share of the bulk order for 40% savings.

Q: Are there any qualifications to purchase food through Fare For All?

        A: There are no qualifications or income restrictions, the program is open to everyone.

Q: What does FARE stand for?

      A: Food And Resource Exchange.  The “Fare” in Fare For All is an acronym.

Q: If I purchase food through this program am I taking away food from someone else who may need it more than I?

     A: Absolutely not.  Fare For All uses a cooperative food purchasing model which utilizes bulk

           purchasing power.  This means that the more people who participate the more purchasing power

           the program has and the more savings then will be passed on to participants.

Q: Where does the food come from?

      A: All the food is purchased through wholesalers.  The food, depending on the season, is either

            locally grown or sent from all over the country.

Affordable:  Through it's  volume-purchasing power, Fare For All Express is able to buy nutritious food at below retail prices and pass on these savings to you.

THERE ARE NO INCOME RESTRICTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM! 

Nutritious:  Fare For All Express packages contain a variety of healthy, fresh, quality food items, including fruits, vegetables, frozen meats and staple items.  

THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF PACKAGES THAT CAN BE PURCHASED EACH MONTH!

Serving the Community:  In addition to great cost-savings on food purchases, Fare For All Express is also committed to improving local communities.  They encourage participants to contribute two hours of volunteer service each month. 

SAVE UP TO 50% ON YOUR MONTHLY GROCERIES WITH FARE FOR ALL EXPRESS
FARE FOR ALL EXPRESS IS... • A cooperative food   program whose buying   power benefits the   community • Fresh and healthy foods at   a savings of 30-50% • Open to everyone! • Cash and Carry! Purchase   packages and take them   home that day	FARE FOR ALL EXPRESS PACKAGES   Regular Pack             $20   The Regular Pack includes 4+   fresh vegetable items, 2+ fresh   fruit items and 3-4 frozen meats   Meat Only Pack           $14   The Meat Only Pack contains 3-4   frozen meat items, which may include   beef, chicken, pork and fish   Vegetarian Pack         $10   The Vegetarian Pack contains   a generous variety of fresh vegetables   and fruits   Family Pack                 $20   The Family pack contains only   non-perishable staple items                      such as vegetable oil, flour,   canned fruits and vegetables, rice,      pasta, and boxed dinners.   Mega Meat Pack           $25   The Mega Meat pack is our special this   month, which contains 7-8 frozen meat   items such as turkey, chicken, pork, fish,   or beef.   Monthly Special    Price Varies   $25 - $30   Fare For All Express monthly specials   are another great way to get more   food for less! Watch for Mega Meat   Packs, Grill Packs, Holiday Packs and   more   Pay with cash, credit and debit   cards, or food support card funds   (EBT).   *Package contents subject to change.   **Prices may vary by location.	Visit our website www.fareforall.org 763-450-3880 1-800-582-4291
	Fare For All is a program of the Emergency Foodshelf Network.      The Emergency Foodshelf Network is a nonprofit organization that      collects, warehouses and distributes high quality food and essential      support services to Minnesota hunger relief organizations.