Starting in our Hometown

We believe food security can be achieved, and that we all have a responsibility to help achieve this goal. We also believe that there’s no better place to start than in the hometowns of Mower County, Minnesota.

Get Involved! 

If you’d like to get involved with the coalition, get in touch. 

Coalition Background

The Hometown Food Security Project is a collective impact effort addressing the issues of hunger and food insecurity in Mower County, Minnesota. Led by Hormel Foods and United Way of Mower County, the Project Coalition identifies resources, gaps, barriers, and opportunities by engaging content/context experts and community members with lived experiences. 

Coalition Goal 

Our vision is to ensure no one goes hungry in Mower County. ​

Our goal is that Mower County will be deemed a food secure community when… ​

• data indicates a 3% food insecurity rate or less and ​
• all individuals have access to sustainable systems meeting nutrition needs to include food preferences, dietary needs and culturally competent food to promote a lifestyle conducive to a flourishing community​
• achieved through informed solutions related to partners, programs, policy, and research.

Coalition Members

Molly Lanke – Co-Lead, Hometown Food Security Project & Executive Director, United Way of Mower County

Gema Alvarado Guerrero – Co-Lead, Hometown Food Security Project & Hormel Foods, Workforce Wellness Facilitator

Mary Weikum– Austin Public Schools, Nutrition Services Coordinator

Varinh Van Vugt – Welcome Center, Program Coordinator

Sara Lee – Mayo Clinic Health System Community Engagement Manager

Jennie Crews – Mower County, SNAP Eligibility Workers

Coalition Advisors

Jeremy Everett – Founder and Executive Director, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty

Professor Craig Gundersen – Jim and Tammy Snee Family Chair in Food Security – Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty

Katie Nye – Statewide Field Director, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty