| By Sahan Journal

Food shelves in Minnesota are struggling to keep halal food available even as demand among low-income and immigrant communities continues to rise, according to a recent report. At the Brian Coyle Center in Minneapolis, long lines form early as families like Muna Mustafa’s wait for food distributions that help supplement limited household incomes amid rising costs and fluctuating federal food aid. Halal-specific supplies, including meat items that meet Muslim dietary requirements, are particularly hard to source and often run out quickly. 

The nonprofit Isuroon, which has operated halal food shelves since 2016, closed one of its four distribution sites due to funding shortages, highlighting the financial pressures these services face even as visits surge. Founder Fartun Weli noted that securing culturally appropriate items at discounted bulk prices is increasingly difficult, and the organization is still far from its fundraising targets needed to sustain annual operations. 

Other community organizations are also feeling the strain. At Pillsbury United Communities’ food programs, demand for halal and other food assistance has jumped sharply in recent months, often exceeding available supplies and forcing centers to rely on individual donations and smaller grants to keep up. Many families are being forced to make tough choices between covering rent and affording groceries, underscoring broader food insecurity trends across Minnesota. 

Source:

Sahan Journal. (2026). Halal food shelves rise in Minnesota as demand grows. https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/halal-food-shelves-minnesota-rising-demand/