Students and families at and around the University of Minnesota struggle to find fresh and accessible groceries. Now, as policy discussions focus more on food access — with only a handful of major grocers within a mile of campus — students are seeking change.

Stores that students rely on, including organic grocery store Fresh Thyme and the Dinkytown Target, are frequently cited as being expensive and limited in their selection. 

Many students are forced to make commutes to grocery stores outside of campus for cheaper, more sustainable food options. However, students without cars or other forms of personal transportation do not have that choice.

In a newsletter from City Council Member Robin Wonsley’s office on July 18, Wonsley reported a food shortage in Ward 2, where the University campus is located.  According to Wonsley, this food shortage affects nearly a quarter of University students.

Qannani Omar, a policy aide for Wonsley, said students have told the office that there was a food insecurity issue on campus and that there should be an accessible grocery store for students at the University. 

“One of the immediate things that our office would hear from students was that there was a lack of access to fresh food,” Omar said. “There was a desire to see a grocery store that was accessible to students in the Dinkytown area.” 

A July presentation from the Minneapolis City Council Public Health and Safety Committee announced that 21% of students at the University were concerned with food instability, and 12.4% of students said they struggled with a lack of food and money in Spring 2024.

The Minneapolis City Council Public Health and Safety Committee’s Legislative Policy and Research Report describes the current food desert in Minneapolis as “food apartheid.” 

“We use the words ‘food apartheid’ instead of ‘food desert,’” the report said. “‘Food apartheid’ describes community areas with little to no access to grocery stores.” 

Omar said many areas in Minneapolis are considered food apartheid, and the city could attempt to open a grocery that’s owned by the municipal government, similar to other U.S. cities. 

“There was a very large presentation highlighting the food landscape in Minneapolis and that there are areas that are food deserts, or the report used the word ‘food apartheid,’” Omar said. “Other cities across the nation have tried municipal-owned grocery stores, so it definitely was more of an exploratory first step.”

Many students struggle with finding time to do grocery shopping while attending the University full-time, especially if they have to leave campus. Fourth-year Scout Ober said they have struggled to find availability during their week to go grocery shopping. 

“As a student, when I’m doing a full-time semester taking 15 credits, I don’t feel like I have enough time to run errands during the week,” Ober said. “I can only imagine how much more complicated it is if somebody is living in the dorms and needing to figure that out.” 

Ober added that they are aware a lot of city problems stem from a lack of funding. They said many people rely on outside funds as they are struggling. 

The Legislative Policy and Research Report said some Minneapolis co-ops struggle with issues such as zoning. 

“According to these local co-ops, challenges facing co-ops include federal instability, lack of enforced antitrust laws, zoning, community buy-in, fragility of local food systems, consolidation and road construction projects,” the report read. 

Recent University graduate Benjamin Lindeen said he and his roommates made a budget plan as they were living on campus so they could avoid purchasing expensive groceries. 

“We knew that we were going to need milk, eggs, bread, things of that nature,” Lindeen said. “We were trying to make sure that we weren’t buying a ton of overly processed, more expensive food and really cutting down the amount of food we’re buying from a local grocery store as much as possible.” 

Lindeen said that, even though he got free tuition during his time at the University, it was still not enough. 

“As someone who qualifies for free tuition, it definitely isn’t super easy being able to make ends meet,” Lindeen said. “What kind of worked for me the best is that I kind of had to get super granular in terms of the spending that I was doing.” 

University Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education associate director CeAnn Klug said the program helps the St. Paul community, as many struggle to find accessible grocery stores. 

The 20% SNAP benefits cut approved in early July is expected to impact stores in low-income neighborhoods and food deserts substantially, making it harder for them to remain open, given how many rely on SNAP sales, according to the Food Research and Action Center. 

Klug said economic factors are a reason for a lack of grocery stores on campus. 

“I think that those are the market forces that sort of drive those kinds of decisions,” Klug said.

Students and families at and around the University of Minnesota struggle to find fresh and accessible groceries. Now, as policy discussions focus more on food access — with only a handful of major grocers within a mile of campus — students are seeking change.

Stores that students rely on, including organic grocery store Fresh Thyme and the Dinkytown Target, are frequently cited as being expensive and limited in their selection. 

Many students are forced to make commutes to grocery stores outside of campus for cheaper, more sustainable food options. However, students without cars or other forms of personal transportation do not have that choice.

In a newsletter from City Council Member Robin Wonsley’s office on July 18, Wonsley reported a food shortage in Ward 2, where the University campus is located.  According to Wonsley, this food shortage affects nearly a quarter of University students.

Qannani Omar, a policy aide for Wonsley, said students have told the office that there was a food insecurity issue on campus and that there should be an accessible grocery store for students at the University. 

“One of the immediate things that our office would hear from students was that there was a lack of access to fresh food,” Omar said. “There was a desire to see a grocery store that was accessible to students in the Dinkytown area.” 

A July presentation from the Minneapolis City Council Public Health and Safety Committee announced that 21% of students at the University were concerned with food instability, and 12.4% of students said they struggled with a lack of food and money in Spring 2024.

The Minneapolis City Council Public Health and Safety Committee’s Legislative Policy and Research Report describes the current food desert in Minneapolis as “food apartheid.” 

“We use the words ‘food apartheid’ instead of ‘food desert,’” the report said. “‘Food apartheid’ describes community areas with little to no access to grocery stores.” 

Omar said many areas in Minneapolis are considered food apartheid, and the city could attempt to open a grocery that’s owned by the municipal government, similar to other U.S. cities. 

“There was a very large presentation highlighting the food landscape in Minneapolis and that there are areas that are food deserts, or the report used the word ‘food apartheid,’” Omar said. “Other cities across the nation have tried municipal-owned grocery stores, so it definitely was more of an exploratory first step.”

Many students struggle with finding time to do grocery shopping while attending the University full-time, especially if they have to leave campus. Fourth-year Scout Ober said they have struggled to find availability during their week to go grocery shopping. 

“As a student, when I’m doing a full-time semester taking 15 credits, I don’t feel like I have enough time to run errands during the week,” Ober said. “I can only imagine how much more complicated it is if somebody is living in the dorms and needing to figure that out.” 

Ober added that they are aware a lot of city problems stem from a lack of funding. They said many people rely on outside funds as they are struggling. 

The Legislative Policy and Research Report said some Minneapolis co-ops struggle with issues such as zoning. 

“According to these local co-ops, challenges facing co-ops include federal instability, lack of enforced antitrust laws, zoning, community buy-in, fragility of local food systems, consolidation and road construction projects,” the report read. 

Recent University graduate Benjamin Lindeen said he and his roommates made a budget plan as they were living on campus so they could avoid purchasing expensive groceries. 

“We knew that we were going to need milk, eggs, bread, things of that nature,” Lindeen said. “We were trying to make sure that we weren’t buying a ton of overly processed, more expensive food and really cutting down the amount of food we’re buying from a local grocery store as much as possible.” 

Lindeen said that, even though he got free tuition during his time at the University, it was still not enough. 

“As someone who qualifies for free tuition, it definitely isn’t super easy being able to make ends meet,” Lindeen said. “What kind of worked for me the best is that I kind of had to get super granular in terms of the spending that I was doing.” 

University Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education associate director CeAnn Klug said the program helps the St. Paul community, as many struggle to find accessible grocery stores. 

The 20% SNAP benefits cut approved in early July is expected to impact stores in low-income neighborhoods and food deserts substantially, making it harder for them to remain open, given how many rely on SNAP sales, according to the Food Research and Action Center. 

Klug said economic factors are a reason for a lack of grocery stores on campus. 

“I think that those are the market forces that sort of drive those kinds of decisions,” Klug said.

Students and families at and around the University of Minnesota struggle to find fresh and accessible groceries. Now, as policy discussions focus more on food access — with only a handful of major grocers within a mile of campus — students are seeking change.

Stores that students rely on, including organic grocery store Fresh Thyme and the Dinkytown Target, are frequently cited as being expensive and limited in their selection. 

Many students are forced to make commutes to grocery stores outside of campus for cheaper, more sustainable food options. However, students without cars or other forms of personal transportation do not have that choice.

In a newsletter from City Council Member Robin Wonsley’s office on July 18, Wonsley reported a food shortage in Ward 2, where the University campus is located.  According to Wonsley, this food shortage affects nearly a quarter of University students.

Qannani Omar, a policy aide for Wonsley, said students have told the office that there was a food insecurity issue on campus and that there should be an accessible grocery store for students at the University. 

“One of the immediate things that our office would hear from students was that there was a lack of access to fresh food,” Omar said. “There was a desire to see a grocery store that was accessible to students in the Dinkytown area.” 

A July presentation from the Minneapolis City Council Public Health and Safety Committee announced that 21% of students at the University were concerned with food instability, and 12.4% of students said they struggled with a lack of food and money in Spring 2024.

The Minneapolis City Council Public Health and Safety Committee’s Legislative Policy and Research Report describes the current food desert in Minneapolis as “food apartheid.” 

“We use the words ‘food apartheid’ instead of ‘food desert,’” the report said. “‘Food apartheid’ describes community areas with little to no access to grocery stores.” 

Omar said many areas in Minneapolis are considered food apartheid, and the city could attempt to open a grocery that’s owned by the municipal government, similar to other U.S. cities. 

“There was a very large presentation highlighting the food landscape in Minneapolis and that there are areas that are food deserts, or the report used the word ‘food apartheid,’” Omar said. “Other cities across the nation have tried municipal-owned grocery stores, so it definitely was more of an exploratory first step.”

Many students struggle with finding time to do grocery shopping while attending the University full-time, especially if they have to leave campus. Fourth-year Scout Ober said they have struggled to find availability during their week to go grocery shopping. 

“As a student, when I’m doing a full-time semester taking 15 credits, I don’t feel like I have enough time to run errands during the week,” Ober said. “I can only imagine how much more complicated it is if somebody is living in the dorms and needing to figure that out.” 

Ober added that they are aware a lot of city problems stem from a lack of funding. They said many people rely on outside funds as they are struggling. 

The Legislative Policy and Research Report said some Minneapolis co-ops struggle with issues such as zoning. 

“According to these local co-ops, challenges facing co-ops include federal instability, lack of enforced antitrust laws, zoning, community buy-in, fragility of local food systems, consolidation and road construction projects,” the report read. 

Recent University graduate Benjamin Lindeen said he and his roommates made a budget plan as they were living on campus so they could avoid purchasing expensive groceries. 

“We knew that we were going to need milk, eggs, bread, things of that nature,” Lindeen said. “We were trying to make sure that we weren’t buying a ton of overly processed, more expensive food and really cutting down the amount of food we’re buying from a local grocery store as much as possible.” 

Lindeen said that, even though he got free tuition during his time at the University, it was still not enough. 

“As someone who qualifies for free tuition, it definitely isn’t super easy being able to make ends meet,” Lindeen said. “What kind of worked for me the best is that I kind of had to get super granular in terms of the spending that I was doing.” 

University Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education associate director CeAnn Klug said the program helps the St. Paul community, as many struggle to find accessible grocery stores. 

The 20% SNAP benefits cut approved in early July is expected to impact stores in low-income neighborhoods and food deserts substantially, making it harder for them to remain open, given how many rely on SNAP sales, according to the Food Research and Action Center. 

Klug said economic factors are a reason for a lack of grocery stores on campus. 

“I think that those are the market forces that sort of drive those kinds of decisions,” Klug said.

University of Minnesota students say construction around campus has greatly affected summer commutes. 

Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are undertaking construction efforts that include road areas of the University of Minnesota campus, according to Parking and Transportation Services. 

Many students feel the significant construction should not limit their ability to navigate campus and greater Minneapolis. Second-year Eyob Tekele said he understands why so many construction projects are happening on campus but believes they shouldn’t block essential navigation routes.

“I understand the fact that they would have to do it,” Eyob Tekele said. “But I think it’s just mainly because it kind of felt like they start everywhere all at once, all that rather than progressing into doing section by section.” 

He said students should be aware of possible delays. 

“If there isn’t an actual plan for people to see, be like — okay, these are the deadlines that they’re supposed to meet,” Eyob Tekele said. “So we can keep them accountable if they don’t meet those deadlines.” 

There are currently three projects going on at the University campus, such as improvements to high-traffic Fourth Street and University Avenue set to end in August, according to University Parking and Transportation Services. 

Incoming first-year Sabrin Muqtar said the construction has already begun to limit her navigation abilities before she has officially started. 

“It’s so irritating having to figure out how to get dropped off or picked up,” Muqtar said. 

Muqtar said the construction has even affected her use of public transportation on campus, as many buses were rerouted. 

“Having to figure out what buses to take because a lot of the buses are rerouted and have to go around through the track construction,” Muqtar said. ”Figuring out where the new buses are taking new stops and where they’re going around on campus was a little bit harder.” 

Metro Transit said they are doing projects with Hennepin County, MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis, which includes construction around bus stops at the University of Minnesota campus. 

Abreham Tekele, Eyob’s younger brother, is also an incoming freshman. Abreham said he has difficulty navigating at night as he feels signage and markings can be unclear in places. 

“It’s confusing when it’s nighttime,” Abreham Tekele said. “The lights are not on, you don’t know where you’re going.” 

Abreham said the construction has affected commuters to the point where getting around campus can be a major struggle. 

“I think to make it better, I don’t think they should have closed every single d*** road,” Tekele said. “They can do a section at a time instead of the whole block at once.” 

Metro Transit recommends commuters subscribe to Metro Transit and MnDOT’s newsletters, which clarify construction projects, timelines and updates.

University of Minnesota students say construction around campus has greatly affected summer commutes. 

Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are undertaking construction efforts that include road areas of the University of Minnesota campus, according to Parking and Transportation Services. 

Many students feel the significant construction should not limit their ability to navigate campus and greater Minneapolis. Second-year Eyob Tekele said he understands why so many construction projects are happening on campus but believes they shouldn’t block essential navigation routes.

“I understand the fact that they would have to do it,” Eyob Tekele said. “But I think it’s just mainly because it kind of felt like they start everywhere all at once, all that rather than progressing into doing section by section.” 

He said students should be aware of possible delays. 

“If there isn’t an actual plan for people to see, be like — okay, these are the deadlines that they’re supposed to meet,” Eyob Tekele said. “So we can keep them accountable if they don’t meet those deadlines.” 

There are currently three projects going on at the University campus, such as improvements to high-traffic Fourth Street and University Avenue set to end in August, according to University Parking and Transportation Services. 

Incoming first-year Sabrin Muqtar said the construction has already begun to limit her navigation abilities before she has officially started. 

“It’s so irritating having to figure out how to get dropped off or picked up,” Muqtar said. 

Muqtar said the construction has even affected her use of public transportation on campus, as many buses were rerouted. 

“Having to figure out what buses to take because a lot of the buses are rerouted and have to go around through the track construction,” Muqtar said. ”Figuring out where the new buses are taking new stops and where they’re going around on campus was a little bit harder.” 

Metro Transit said they are doing projects with Hennepin County, MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis, which includes construction around bus stops at the University of Minnesota campus. 

Abreham Tekele, Eyob’s younger brother, is also an incoming freshman. Abreham said he has difficulty navigating at night as he feels signage and markings can be unclear in places. 

“It’s confusing when it’s nighttime,” Abreham Tekele said. “The lights are not on, you don’t know where you’re going.” 

Abreham said the construction has affected commuters to the point where getting around campus can be a major struggle. 

“I think to make it better, I don’t think they should have closed every single d*** road,” Tekele said. “They can do a section at a time instead of the whole block at once.” 

Metro Transit recommends commuters subscribe to Metro Transit and MnDOT’s newsletters, which clarify construction projects, timelines and updates.

University of Minnesota students say construction around campus has greatly affected summer commutes. 

Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are undertaking construction efforts that include road areas of the University of Minnesota campus, according to Parking and Transportation Services. 

Many students feel the significant construction should not limit their ability to navigate campus and greater Minneapolis. Second-year Eyob Tekele said he understands why so many construction projects are happening on campus but believes they shouldn’t block essential navigation routes.

“I understand the fact that they would have to do it,” Eyob Tekele said. “But I think it’s just mainly because it kind of felt like they start everywhere all at once, all that rather than progressing into doing section by section.” 

He said students should be aware of possible delays. 

“If there isn’t an actual plan for people to see, be like — okay, these are the deadlines that they’re supposed to meet,” Eyob Tekele said. “So we can keep them accountable if they don’t meet those deadlines.” 

There are currently three projects going on at the University campus, such as improvements to high-traffic Fourth Street and University Avenue set to end in August, according to University Parking and Transportation Services. 

Incoming first-year Sabrin Muqtar said the construction has already begun to limit her navigation abilities before she has officially started. 

“It’s so irritating having to figure out how to get dropped off or picked up,” Muqtar said. 

Muqtar said the construction has even affected her use of public transportation on campus, as many buses were rerouted. 

“Having to figure out what buses to take because a lot of the buses are rerouted and have to go around through the track construction,” Muqtar said. ”Figuring out where the new buses are taking new stops and where they’re going around on campus was a little bit harder.” 

Metro Transit said they are doing projects with Hennepin County, MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis, which includes construction around bus stops at the University of Minnesota campus. 

Abreham Tekele, Eyob’s younger brother, is also an incoming freshman. Abreham said he has difficulty navigating at night as he feels signage and markings can be unclear in places. 

“It’s confusing when it’s nighttime,” Abreham Tekele said. “The lights are not on, you don’t know where you’re going.” 

Abreham said the construction has affected commuters to the point where getting around campus can be a major struggle. 

“I think to make it better, I don’t think they should have closed every single d*** road,” Tekele said. “They can do a section at a time instead of the whole block at once.” 

Metro Transit recommends commuters subscribe to Metro Transit and MnDOT’s newsletters, which clarify construction projects, timelines and updates.

University of Minnesota students say construction around campus has greatly affected summer commutes. 

Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are undertaking construction efforts that include road areas of the University of Minnesota campus, according to Parking and Transportation Services. 

Many students feel the significant construction should not limit their ability to navigate campus and greater Minneapolis. Second-year Eyob Tekele said he understands why so many construction projects are happening on campus but believes they shouldn’t block essential navigation routes.

“I understand the fact that they would have to do it,” Eyob Tekele said. “But I think it’s just mainly because it kind of felt like they start everywhere all at once, all that rather than progressing into doing section by section.” 

He said students should be aware of possible delays. 

“If there isn’t an actual plan for people to see, be like — okay, these are the deadlines that they’re supposed to meet,” Eyob Tekele said. “So we can keep them accountable if they don’t meet those deadlines.” 

There are currently three projects going on at the University campus, such as improvements to high-traffic Fourth Street and University Avenue set to end in August, according to University Parking and Transportation Services. 

Incoming first-year Sabrin Muqtar said the construction has already begun to limit her navigation abilities before she has officially started. 

“It’s so irritating having to figure out how to get dropped off or picked up,” Muqtar said. 

Muqtar said the construction has even affected her use of public transportation on campus, as many buses were rerouted. 

“Having to figure out what buses to take because a lot of the buses are rerouted and have to go around through the track construction,” Muqtar said. ”Figuring out where the new buses are taking new stops and where they’re going around on campus was a little bit harder.” 

Metro Transit said they are doing projects with Hennepin County, MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis, which includes construction around bus stops at the University of Minnesota campus. 

Abreham Tekele, Eyob’s younger brother, is also an incoming freshman. Abreham said he has difficulty navigating at night as he feels signage and markings can be unclear in places. 

“It’s confusing when it’s nighttime,” Abreham Tekele said. “The lights are not on, you don’t know where you’re going.” 

Abreham said the construction has affected commuters to the point where getting around campus can be a major struggle. 

“I think to make it better, I don’t think they should have closed every single d*** road,” Tekele said. “They can do a section at a time instead of the whole block at once.” 

Metro Transit recommends commuters subscribe to Metro Transit and MnDOT’s newsletters, which clarify construction projects, timelines and updates.

University of Minnesota students say construction around campus has greatly affected summer commutes. 

Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are undertaking construction efforts that include road areas of the University of Minnesota campus, according to Parking and Transportation Services. 

Many students feel the significant construction should not limit their ability to navigate campus and greater Minneapolis. Second-year Eyob Tekele said he understands why so many construction projects are happening on campus but believes they shouldn’t block essential navigation routes.

“I understand the fact that they would have to do it,” Eyob Tekele said. “But I think it’s just mainly because it kind of felt like they start everywhere all at once, all that rather than progressing into doing section by section.” 

He said students should be aware of possible delays. 

“If there isn’t an actual plan for people to see, be like — okay, these are the deadlines that they’re supposed to meet,” Eyob Tekele said. “So we can keep them accountable if they don’t meet those deadlines.” 

There are currently three projects going on at the University campus, such as improvements to high-traffic Fourth Street and University Avenue set to end in August, according to University Parking and Transportation Services. 

Incoming first-year Sabrin Muqtar said the construction has already begun to limit her navigation abilities before she has officially started. 

“It’s so irritating having to figure out how to get dropped off or picked up,” Muqtar said. 

Muqtar said the construction has even affected her use of public transportation on campus, as many buses were rerouted. 

“Having to figure out what buses to take because a lot of the buses are rerouted and have to go around through the track construction,” Muqtar said. ”Figuring out where the new buses are taking new stops and where they’re going around on campus was a little bit harder.” 

Metro Transit said they are doing projects with Hennepin County, MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis, which includes construction around bus stops at the University of Minnesota campus. 

Abreham Tekele, Eyob’s younger brother, is also an incoming freshman. Abreham said he has difficulty navigating at night as he feels signage and markings can be unclear in places. 

“It’s confusing when it’s nighttime,” Abreham Tekele said. “The lights are not on, you don’t know where you’re going.” 

Abreham said the construction has affected commuters to the point where getting around campus can be a major struggle. 

“I think to make it better, I don’t think they should have closed every single d*** road,” Tekele said. “They can do a section at a time instead of the whole block at once.” 

Metro Transit recommends commuters subscribe to Metro Transit and MnDOT’s newsletters, which clarify construction projects, timelines and updates.

The University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management announced on Wednesday that for marketing purposes, the school will be referred to as “Minnesota Carlson” instead of “Carlson School,” which was used for about 40 years. 

The name change comes as the school plans to incorporate its geographic location more actively into its mission, according to the business school website. This change mirrors the University’s law school name change to Minnesota Law in 2018. 

Minnesota Carlson Dean Jamie Prenkert said the name change is intended to uphold the school’s identity and connect with the greater University community. 

Communications associate director of Minnesota Carlson Rose Semenov said the name was formed to build a strengthened bond with the University community. 

“The idea with Minnesota Carlson is to create that stronger connection to the University and also to make a geographic connection clearer with that shortened version,” Semonov said. “That’s going to elevate connection with audiences on a larger scale.” 

Semonov said within the school’s strategic plan, one of its focuses is to emphasize the school’s profile. 

The school will utilize its new name for communications purposes going forward, and continue using the previous name, Carlson School of Management, for business operations and formal events.

Correction: A previous article stated the Carlson School of Management would be changing the school’s name to Minnesota Carlson. Minnesota Carlson will be used in visual and written communications instead of “Carlson School.”

The University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management announced on Wednesday that for marketing purposes, the school will be referred to as “Minnesota Carlson” instead of “Carlson School,” which was used for about 40 years. 

The name change comes as the school plans to incorporate its geographic location more actively into its mission, according to the business school website. This change mirrors the University’s law school name change to Minnesota Law in 2018. 

Minnesota Carlson Dean Jamie Prenkert said the name change is intended to uphold the school’s identity and connect with the greater University community. 

Communications associate director of Minnesota Carlson Rose Semenov said the name was formed to build a strengthened bond with the University community. 

“The idea with Minnesota Carlson is to create that stronger connection to the University and also to make a geographic connection clearer with that shortened version,” Semonov said. “That’s going to elevate connection with audiences on a larger scale.” 

Semonov said within the school’s strategic plan, one of its focuses is to emphasize the school’s profile. 

The school will utilize its new name for communications purposes going forward, and continue using the previous name, Carlson School of Management, for business operations and formal events.

Correction: A previous article stated the Carlson School of Management would be changing the school’s name to Minnesota Carlson. Minnesota Carlson will be used in visual and written communications instead of “Carlson School.”