Mindful Meals Project

Student-Led Mindful Meals Program Fills Hunger Void

The Enactus group at Southwest Minnesota State University is helping address a food insecurity need in Marshall through a program called “Mindful Meals.”

The pilot program’s goal was to supply — to families of elementary school children who request them — a nutritious, healthy Friday evening meal.

Dr. George Taylor, Business professor and Enactus advisor, said that meals were prepared on three separate occasions for participating K-1 students and family members. The first trial on March 25 included 13 families and 72 meals; the second on April 8 was 24 families, 121 meals; and the third on April 22 was 15 families, 85 meals.

It’s the goal of the program to supply families with a Friday evening meal, three meals on Saturday and Sunday, and a breakfast on Monday, said Taylor. “That’s when we go into full operation. We will assess and evaluate the data to ensure we do not exceed our capacity or capabilities.”

Next year, Enactus will expand the program to include students and their families in grades K-5. “There’s a need for this,” said Taylor. “This will help litigate the nutritional gaps and lead to enhanced performance among students in the school system.”

Meals are prepared in the Culinology kitchen at SMSU by Enactus members, Culinology and Hospitality Management students, Student Hospitality Organization members, and Chef Ronnie Walker.

“Chef Walker has played a huge part in this,” said project co-manager Valerie Messner, a senior Accounting and Finance major. Stephen Zimmer, a junior Political Science major, is the other project co-manager.

“We found through our research that there was a need for this,” said Enactus Chief of Staff Carter McLaughlin, who graduated in May. “We have four pillars for the project — Community, Outreach, Nutrition, Education, or CONE,” he said. “I love this project. It’s making a difference,” said Zimmer. “It relates to the ‘Small Town, Big Community’ theme.” Christensen Farms is a large benefactor. “They gave us $2,500, and added $2,500 if it was matched. We had two matches so that was $10,000 out of Front row from left: Dr. George Taylor, Enactus Faculty Co-Advisor; Tricia Gieseke, Communications Specialist, Christensen Farms (CF); Josh Anderson, Public Policy Specialist (CF); Amber Portner, Communications Manager (CF); Sarah Strandemo, Enactus Vice President; Valerie Messner, Mindful Meals the gate,” said McLaughlin. Aldi donated a $500 gift card to use purchasing groceries, and HyVee has helped by selling product at cost, and Co-Leader. Back row from left: Dr. Doug Simon, Sam Walton Fellow and also donating rescued food items. Enactus Faculty Co-Advisor; Grayson Bolstad; Stephen Zimmer, Mindful The idea for the program originated Meals Co-Leader; and Ashton Ayres. with SMSU alumnus Aaron Lange, whose soon-to-be father-in-law Greg Pavett is the founder and CEO of Humanity Alliance, based in Victoria. Humanity Alliance takes food items that otherwise would be discarded and uses them to prepare meals delivered to Minnesota families, mostly in the west suburbs of the Twin Cities. Lange told former Enactus advisor Dr. Doug Simon about the program, and Enactus representatives visited Humanity Alliance to learn more. Enactus members discussed what they found, and decided it was a worthwhile project for the entrepreneurial group. “We found through our assessment there was a fundamental need in Marshall, whether you can see it or not,” said McLaughlin. All agree that nutrition plays a vital role for academic success of students. “This project addresses those needs, and will hopefully help students fare better academically,” said Messner.