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Health department details nutrition, lactation and active‑living grants and pilots

Public Health and Safety & Equity Committee (Minneapolis) · April 16, 2026

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Summary

Health Department managers updated the committee on SHIP and REACH grants and highlighted programs: $175,000 for a tap‑water ambassador cohort, ProduceRx deliveries to clinics and schools, lactation‑friendly clinic recognition and active‑living projects including Safe Routes to Parks.

Jenny Mines and Caitlin Alandez of the Minneapolis Health Department presented the Healthy Living Initiative’s quarter‑1 update April 15, describing two major funding streams—SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Partnership) and REACH (CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health)—and the city’s portfolio of grant‑funded prevention programs.

Mines said the department is fully grant‑funded for these initiatives and that SHIP funds flow from the legislature to the Minnesota Department of Health and then to local agencies. Alandez highlighted specific projects: a Tap Water Ambassador program funded with $175,000 from Minneapolis Water Works over two years to support five community organizations; ProduceRx, a partnership delivering biweekly produce bundles through Brightside Produce to clinic‑identified, food‑insecure residents; and a lactation‑friendly clinic recognition program with bronze/silver/gold tiers piloted in 2025 and expanding in 2026.

Council members asked about North Side participation in ProduceRx; staff said prior North Side partnerships lapsed due to produce‑funding shortages and that the department can help clinics start ProduceRx if produce funding is available. Staff also described uncertainty in REACH federal funding (two budget reductions in three years) and contingency plans for staffing if funds change. The presentation concluded with program metrics, partnerships and next steps for community engagement and evaluation.