What if every child could find a little bit of home in the food they eat at school? What if every family had nutritious food without having to leave behind the cultural traditions that tie them to their roots?

East Side Food For All, a community-based initiative of 4TY PROUD was created from this vision and from the experiences of immigrant, refugee and underserved families in Saint Paul’s East Side.
During Operation Metro Surge Michou Tchoffo, saw how quickly families could be food insecure, financially strapped and isolated. Mutual aid work and community advocacy gave her a way to help families get the resources they needed but also another important need: families deserve food that nourishes not just their bodies but also their cultures.

At Highwood Hills Elementary School, with the support of principal, Michou established a multicultural food shelf where students and families could get culturally familiar foods.

Months after the Operation Metro Surge, parents are still requesting to keep the initiative going affirmed its importance: this is not just a food shelf; this is where families are seen and respected and welcomed.

Through East Side Food For All, 4TY PROUD hopes to scale this vision across Saint Paul’s East Side by increasing access to culturally meaningful nutritious food; listening to families; celebrating food traditions; and building lasting community partnerships.

We believe food is not just nourishment. It’s identity, dignity, connection and belonging.

Together we can make sure no family has to choose between food assistance and traditions that make them who they are.