Minnesota United Partners with Allina Health and The Sanneh Foundation for Meal Kit Initiative
Minnesota United FC is launching a nutrition-focused meal kit initiative in partnership with Allina Health and The Sanneh Foundation to connect local families with healthy meals and fresh produce. The collaboration supports Sanneh’s Nutritional Services Program by connecting nutrition education, physical activity, and community resources to encourage lifelong well-being. We are excited to work with Allina Health and The Sanneh Foundation to help launch this new meal kit initiative that provides local families an avenue to healthy meals and fresh produce,
MNUFC Chief Executive Officer Christina Hennington stated.
Chef-Inspired Recipes Tailored for Local Families
The annual partnership kicks off on Oct. 7 with a volunteer meal kit-packing event featuring recipes created by Allianz Field Executive Chef Adam Reitsma and Jesse Haas, an integrative nutritionist with the Allina Health Penny George Institute for Health and Healing. The recipes utilize produce and grocery items common among families participating in The Sanneh Foundation’s food distributions, ensuring the meals remain culturally tailored and accessible. The first collaborative recipe is Sweet Potato Succotash, a Native American-inspired dish featuring corn, beans, and root vegetables. While working with Allina Health and The Sanneh Foundation on this meal initiative, it was important for us to create a dish that was fresh and flavorful but also consisted of ingredients that are simple to prepare and accessible to our neighbors,
Reitsma said.
Community Food Distribution at Corcoran Park
Following the packing event, volunteers will distribute the chef-designed meal kits alongside fresh produce, proteins, and pantry staples to local families on Oct. 9 during The Sanneh Foundation’s weekly community food distribution at Corcoran Park in South Minneapolis. Allina Health serves as the Official Health Care Provider of MNUFC, a longstanding partnership dating back to the club’s inaugural season in 2017 that covers the First Team, MNUFC2, the MNUFC Academy, and the MNUFC Power Soccer teams. As a nonprofit healthcare system focused on supporting our community, Allina Health is eager to explore all of the ways that we can encourage people to stay healthy and active,
Haas explained. Proper nutrition is a huge part of fueling active lifestyles, so we’re excited to join MNUFC and The Sanneh Foundation in providing these delicious meal kits that help make this process easy and fun.
Expanding Health and Nutrition Access Across Minnesota
The collaborative effort reinforces a shared commitment among all three organizations to address food insecurity and promote health equity throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where Allina Health operates more than 90 clinics and 12 hospital campuses. When we talk about creating healthy communities, it starts with meeting people where they are and making sure families have access to the resources they need to thrive,
Tony Sanneh, founder and CEO of The Sanneh Foundation, said. We’re proud to partner with Minnesota United and Allina Health to bring healthy food, nutrition education and opportunity to families through the power of soccer.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Meal Kit Program
When does the meal kit distribution take place?
Volunteers will distribute the meal kits, fresh produce, proteins, and pantry staples to local families on Oct. 9 at Corcoran Park in South Minneapolis, following a packing event on Oct. 7.
Who created the recipes included in the meal kits?
The recipes are designed by Allianz Field Executive Chef Adam Reitsma alongside Jesse Haas, an integrative nutritionist with the Allina Health Penny George Institute for Health and Healing.
What is the first recipe featured in the initiative?
The initial collaborative recipe is Sweet Potato Succotash, a Native American-inspired dish featuring corn, beans, and root vegetables designed to be simple to prepare and accessible.
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