Provides assistance and support for many programs related to creating healthy and equitable food access. Work with clients who are interested in obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by assisting with the application process. Administers the SNAP program at four local farmers markets in Cook, Hibbing, Tower, and Virginia. Provides a variety of services such as: - Arrowhead Grown: A website and facebook page created to promote farmers across the region. It includes dates, times, locations, and details of each farmer's market in northeast Minnesota. The site also includes helpful information for customers using SNAP-EBT, Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers, and Power of Produce (POP) tokens. - Community Food Forest: A large perennial garden made up of berry bushes, grapevines, and fruit trees. It continues to grow each year. Community members are encouraged to participate in maintaining the food forest and the site is accessible to anyone to harvest. - Farmers Markets: Families utilizing SNAP-EBT can shop at Virginia Market Square, Cook Area Farmers Market, Hibbing Farmers Market, and Tower Farmers Market, and receive a match in dollars. - Food Shelves: Funds food shelves to agencies across Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis County. Provide emergency and short-term food assistance to income-eligible individuals and families who have run out of options to alleviate hunger. - Little Free Pantries: There are three free food pantries located in Virginia at AEOA, Hope Presbyterian Church, Our Saviors Church, and at the Hoyt Lakes Public Library. AEOA maintains the pantry located outside of the AEOA office. - Northeast Minnesota Food Access Guide: Manages the Northeast Minnesota Food Access Guide which lists information on local food shelf hours, locations, grocery financial assistance programs, free meals, and food prep resources.