What Second Harvest Heartland does

Second Harvest Heartland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hunger-relief organization headquartered in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and one of the largest food banks in the United States. Founded in 2001 and a member of the Feeding America network of 200+ food banks, the organization sources food from commercial donors, growers, manufacturers, and retailers, warehouses it in a 233,000-square-foot facility (including 30,000 sq ft of temperature-controlled space and one of only five USDA-inspected clean rooms for ready-to-eat protein repacking in the country), and distributes more than 166 million pounds of food annually across 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. It reaches end recipients through a network of 373 local food shelves and over 1,000 partner programs including meal programs, schools, faith-based organizations, and community centers, supported by nearly 1,000 weekly volunteers and a refrigerated truck fleet logging 410,000+ miles per year.

The organization's technology stack is operational rather than analytical: a real-time order platform for agency partners, handheld-scanner-based warehouse fulfillment, the MealConnect app that matches commercial-kitchen surplus to food shelves, and a ServiceNow-based Food Resource Map for recipient self-service. Complementary programs extend the core food-distribution model into adjacent verticals — Food Rescue (759 retail partners, 48M+ pounds saved from waste annually), SNAP and CSFP enrollment support, Summer Meals for Kids, the prepared-meals Kitchen Coalition with the Sanneh Foundation, and FOODRx connecting healthcare providers to food-insecure patients.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable support rather than commercial sales: monetary donations (one-time, monthly Harvest Circle, $1,000+ Leadership Circle), in-kind food donations from over 120 commercial donors, plus alternative-asset channels including stock transfers (via Morgan Stanley brokerage), cryptocurrency, vehicle donations, planned giving / bequests (Table of Hope Society), and corporate workplace giving. The organization reports a 91.6–92% program-expense ratio and holds a Charity Navigator four-star rating and Charities Review Council Standards compliance, signaling strong financial stewardship. Customer segments split between food-insecure individuals and families (primary recipients), 1,000+ agency partners, and a diversified base of individual, corporate, and foundation donors.

Name

Second Harvest Heartland

Legal name

Second Harvest Heartland

Website

https://2harvest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Second Harvest Heartland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional food bank headquartered in Brooklyn Park, MN that sources, warehouses, and distributes more than 166 million pounds of food annually through 1,000+ agency partners across 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Banking

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) (115114)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Produce Packhouses (Fruits & Vegetables) (AFAOAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Farm-to-Consumer Produce Boxes / CSA Delivery (AFAIANAC)

Keywords

• Food bank services
• Hunger relief operations
• Food distribution logistics
• Food rescue programs
• Nonprofit donations

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: Individual and corporate donations of money are the primary revenue source. $1 can provide three meals. 91.6-92% of donations go directly to programs and services.
2. Food Donations: Commercial food donations from growers, retailers, manufacturers, and restaurants form the core product inventory. Over 120 million pounds of food donated annually.
3. Stock Donations: Donors can transfer stocks, securities, and mutual fund shares held more than 12 months. Donors avoid capital gains tax and receive full fair market value deduction.
4. Planned Giving: Charitable bequests in wills, retirement account beneficiaries, charitable gift annuities, real estate donations, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
5. Vehicle Donations: Donors can donate cars to fuel the hunger fight, with towing and paperwork handled by the organization.
6. Cryptocurrency Donations: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations are accepted as a tax-efficient way to support the mission. No capital gains tax owed.
7. Workplace Giving: Payroll deductions, matching gifts, and corporate workplace giving programs allow employees to maximize their charitable impact.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Second Harvest Heartland is a regional food bank that sources donated food from growers, manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants; warehouses it in a 233,000-square-foot Brooklyn Park facility with temperature-controlled and USDA-inspected clean-room capacity; and distributes it across 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin through a network of 1,000+ agency partner programs and 373 food shelves. Complementary programs include Food Rescue, MealConnect, SNAP enrollment, CSFP senior food boxes, Summer Meals for Kids, Kitchen Coalition prepared meals, FOODRx health care referrals, and a Food Resource Map locator.

Product overview

Second Harvest Heartland is a regional food bank operating as a single unified nonprofit organization, not a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organization functions as a wholesaler in the emergency food chain, sourcing, warehousing, and distributing food through interconnected programs. Core operations include Food Sourcing (acquiring food from donors, growers, and retailers), Food Warehousing (managing inventory in a 233,000-square-foot Brooklyn Park facility), and Food Distribution (delivering to 1,000+ agency partners across 59 counties). Complementary programs include Food Rescue and MealConnect for surplus food recovery, SNAP enrollment and CSFP food boxes for benefit access, Summer Meals for Kids, Kitchen Coalition for prepared meals, and FOODRx connecting healthcare with food assistance. Donor engagement programs include Harvest Circle (monthly giving), Leadership Circle ($1,000+ annual donors), Planned Giving (estate donations), and Table of Hope Society (legacy donors). The Volunteer Center engages nearly 1,000 weekly volunteers for food repacking. A Food Resource Map helps neighbors locate assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Sourcing
• Food Warehousing
• Food Distribution
• Food Rescue Program
• MealConnect App
• SNAP Enrollment Assistance
• CSFP Food Boxes for Seniors
• Summer Meals for Kids
• Kitchen Coalition
• FOODRx
• Food Resource Map
• Volunteer Center

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 donated can provide 3 meals (or 9 meals during matching campaigns)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.

• Bushel BoycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrower partner that donates tomatoes on a weekly basis from their Owatonna, Minnesota and Mason City, Iowa greenhouse facilities. Tomatoes are grown locally year-round using 90% less water than traditional field-grown produce. Bushel Boy sorts out tomatoes with slight imperfections to donate, ensuring quality food doesn't go to waste.
• D'Amico CateringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on prepared food rescue, providing donations of already-cooked food that meal programs can immediately distribute. Donated 2,641 pounds of prepared food in 2021 (2,200 meals) and 2,005 pounds in 2022 through mid-year. Helps save food from ending in landfills.
• Kowalski's MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst retail grocer to partner with Second Harvest Heartland for food rescue. Works with 16 partner agencies across the metro to collect unsaleable yet wholesome food daily. In 2021, provided more than 800,000 meals to the community through food rescue program including produce, meat, dairy, deli, and dry products.
• TargetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail food rescue partner committed to sustainability. Using store tools and technology, promotes donation of unsaleable yet nourishing food. 2021 was record-breaking year providing 88 million meals nationwide. Works with 54 agency partners in Second Harvest Heartland's network, accounting for 60% of nearly 7 million meals through the food rescue program.
• Post Consumer BrandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps fight hunger by providing packaged and bulk cereal from their Northfield Minnesota production facility and other locations throughout the US. In 2021, donated the equivalent of 305,963 meals to Second Harvest Heartland.
• The Good AcrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit food hub through which Second Harvest Heartland purchases produce from 48 local, emerging growers including farmers like Robert. The partnership supports local agriculture while sourcing fresh produce for food distribution.
• Sanhem FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistributes Kitchen Coalition meals to community locations including senior housing developments in St. Paul. Works with Second Harvest Heartland to provide prepared meals to those in need.
• Van Erkel FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal farmer partner that grows onions for Second Harvest Heartland. Potatoes and onions are packed by volunteers and distributed through the hunger relief system to food shelves.
• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide network of more than 200 food banks that helps feed people across the country. Second Harvest Heartland is a member, providing access to millions of pounds of surplus food and grocery donations nationwide.
• Schwan's Company / Schwan's Corporate Giving FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time corporate partner and leading provider of quality foods. Schwan's Corporate Giving Foundation supported the temperature-controlled clean room at the Brooklyn Park facility. Helped provide more than 800,000 meals through food donations and financial grants last year.
• Saint Paul & Minnesota FoundationstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Second Harvest Heartland to oversee donated real estate. The Foundation can accept complex donations on behalf of the food bank and has a Gift Planning team to assist with estate planning vehicles.
• Affinity Plus Federal Credit UnionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner that supports Second Harvest because they ensure families can focus on bigger things in life. Represents partnership for community engagement and awareness.
• HandsOn Twin CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners to share Minnesota Hunger Relief Opportunities, a one-stop location for Minnesota hunger relief volunteer openings. Connects volunteers with local food shelf and hunger relief program opportunities.
• MealConnectcoreTechnology or IntegrationInnovative real-time app that links commercial kitchens with local food shelves and community groups who can safely pick up and distribute unused food, preventing food waste and feeding hungry neighbors.
• MN Turkey Growers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Second Harvest Heartland to provide protein donations, supporting access to nutritious food for food-insecure individuals and families.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National network of more than 200 food banks of which Second Harvest Heartland is a member; provides shared infrastructure, national food sourcing, and brand credibility that directly support Second Harvest Heartland's operations.

Direct peers

• Capital Area Food Bank: Washington D.C.-area regional food bank distributing food through a partner agency network; comparable scale, warehouse operations, and Feeding America network membership to Second Harvest Heartland.
• Oregon Food Bank: Regional food bank distributing food across Oregon and southwest Washington through a county-level partner network; comparable operating model, agency distribution, and Feeding America membership.
• North Texas Food Bank: Feeding America member distributing food across 13 North Texas counties through a partner agency network; closely comparable mission, geographic breadth, and poundage scale to Second Harvest Heartland.
• San Antonio Food Bank: Regional Feeding America member serving 16 counties with warehouse-based food distribution to partner agencies; directly comparable in operating model and partnership-driven service model.
• Houston Food Bank: Feeding America member that distributes hundreds of millions of pounds of food annually across a multi-county service area through partner agencies; comparable to Second Harvest Heartland in mission, scale, and partner-distribution model.
• Midwest Food Bank: Multi-state nonprofit food bank operating warehouse-based distribution through partner agencies; comparable mission, volunteer model, and regional distribution structure.
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: One of the largest food banks in the U.S., serving Cook County with a similar warehouse-based model that sources donated food and distributes it through a network of partner pantries and agencies — directly comparable in scale and operating model to Second Harvest Heartland.
• Food Bank for New York City: Large regional food bank distributing food through a network of pantries, soup kitchens, and community partners in NYC; operates the same food-sourcing-warehouse-distribution model as Second Harvest Heartland with comparable scale.
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Major regional food bank serving LA County through agency partners with a comparable volunteer-driven, donation-sourced operating model and similar pounds-distributed scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/2harvest
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/secondharvest/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/2harvest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/second-harvest-heartland
• Instagraminstagram.com/secondharvestheartland
• Pinterestpinterest.com/2harvest

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Second Harvest Heartland