Open Arms of Minnesota

Areas of Practice

Aging
HIV

Provider Service Categories

Food Assistance
Home-Delivered Meals
Medical Nutritional Therapy

Location

County:: Hennepin, Ramsey
City:: Minneapolis, St. Paul

Summary of Services Provided

Open Arms of Minnesota is a nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers nourishing meals free of charge to critically ill Minnesotans and their loved ones. Our registered dietitians and in-house chefs create delicious, medically tailored menus using fresh and organic ingredients whenever possible. Through the support of a loving community of donors and volunteers, we harvest, cook, and deliver nutritious, made-from-scratch meals directly to our clients. At Open Arms, we believe that food is medicine, and there’s always room for one more at our table.

Meal & Delivery Program – Open Arms’ core program is to prepare and deliver medically tailored meals to Minnesota residents and their families impacted by a life-threatening illness. Unlike food pantries, income is not a qualifier for our services, and our made-from-scratch, preservative-free meals that our clients choose from are tailored to specific illnesses. All of our food is cooked and prepared directly in our state-of-the-art kitchen, utilizing fresh, organic produce harvested from our Open Farms program whenever possible. Meals are delivered to clients’ homes once a week by volunteer delivery drivers, with additional meals provided for caregivers and dependent children if requested. All of our services are 100% free of charge to our clients.

Nutrition Services Program – Eating well while managing the complexities of a serious illness can be challenging. Open Arms strives to make good nutrition easy and convenient for our clients. Our team of registered dietitians and dietetic technicians work with our trained chefs to create tasty, modifiable menus that are medically tailored to specific illnesses, using fresh, healthy ingredients that contain the nutrients our clients need. Our dietitians also provide free-of-cost nutrition education and support directly to clients about diet, food, and nutrition, with a focus on individualized care. Learn more about the cultural meals program.

Open Farms Program – Launched in 2011, Open Farms is our urban garden program, which produces organic vegetables and herbs used throughout the year in client meals, CSAs, and special events. By turning vacant lots into vibrant gardens, we transform underutilized urban spaces into a home to grow healthy produce, employing organic methods and permaculture principles that work with nature, rather than against it. Through our Open Farms program, we engage volunteers and the community in agricultural issues while providing the best nourishment possible to our critically ill clients.

Visit the Client FAQ to learn more.

Provider Statement

As neighbors feeding neighbors, we are committed to creating an inclusive community that celebrates life and honors dignity. We intentionally cultivate a joyful community where all members feel genuinely welcome and personally known. We are deeply connected in our work to achieve a common goal and engage in sharing ideas to enhance our collective efforts. We believe that all people who are ill — no matter their economic status — should have access to appropriate nutrition.

Appointment Formats

In-Person

Business Hours

Limited Hours, Weekend Availability

Hours vary depending on location. See https://www.openarmsmn.org/contact/ for more details.

Payment Options

No Fee