Once a month at the Lincoln Park Commons, a grocery market is constructed, but it takes no money from its customers, because the food is free.

Lincoln Park Children and Families’ Collaborative began the event in October of 2021 to support those suffering from food insecurity and decided to continue the event – creating a monthly pop-up market for the Duluth community and beyond.

“Yeah, so we have a membership with Second harvest northern lakes food bank, and we order food from them every month. And for the giveaway, we just order the food that’s free, and then they bring it down either in one or two truckloads, and then we give it away to the community,” said Jodi Broadwell, executive director of the Lincoln Park Children and Families’ Collaborative.

The event aims to help support those who are suffering with food insecurity and give people a chance to stock up on food for free and utilize the money for other living costs.

“On average, we give away anywhere from 6 to 16,000 pounds of food a month. And people can come from all over the city and access food here in the cafeteria. It’s a pop-up free market, so there’s no limits on the amount of food people can take. They just kind of take what they need or want, and it’s kind of a first-come, first-served basis,” said Broadwell.

With the large amount of food going to those in need, volunteers at the event and through the Lincoln Park Children and Families’ Collaborative have noticed the benefits and impact of their hard work and support.

“It’s a big impact as far as a lot of people are really low on food and struggling, and it is a big impact as we know everybody does better with a little food and they’re stuck especially children at school and their home life maybe they don’t have things so it’s a big impact and I think it’s good for the community to see that people do care,” said Juanita Porter, a coalition member for the Lincoln Park Children and Families’ Collaborative.

To donate to the Lincoln Park Children and Families’ Collaborative, go to Donate – LPCFC