Save Food, Spend Less Challenge - Calendar of Events
All partner events are free unless otherwise noted.
Save Food Fridge Display at Hennepin County Libraries
October 1 to 14: Hopkins Library
October 15 to 30: St. Louis Park Library
Grab the scanner and learn how to make the most of the food in your fridge. Our interactive fridge will be on display at these Hennepin County libraries – stop by during open hours.
Preserving Apples 2 Ways: From Orchard to Pantry
Tuesday, October 13, 6 – 9 p.m.
South High School, 3131 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis
Register through Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education
Thursday, October 15, 6 – 9 p.m.
Minnetonka High School, 18301 MN-7 E., Minnetonka
Register through Minnetonka Community Education
This engaging class offers you the chance to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in preserving apples a couple delightful ways: canned applesauce and fermented apple cider vinegar, which you can take home to enjoy. You'll not only learn the science behind food safety and acidity but also master the proper equipment, food and jar preparation, boiling water canning, and fermenting techniques. Taught by the Hennepin County Master Gardener Volunteer Certified Food Preservation Consultants.
Reducing Waste, Saving Money
Wednesday, October 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Ramsey County Library - White Bear Lake, 2150 2nd St., White Bear Lake
What if reducing food waste could also help your household save money? Join Reyna Chavez, Health Educator with Ramsey County Environmental Health, for a practical conversation about waste-smart food habits and Ramsey County's Food Scraps Pickup Program.
More information
Metro Food Justice Network Fall Plenum
Friday, October 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
1890 Randolph Ave., St. Paul
The annual free Fall Plenum is a day to connect, take collective action, and continue building a stronger food system together.
Register
Chef Demonstration at Bloomington Farmers Market
Saturday, October 17, 9 – 10 a.m.
Bloomington Farmers Market
Hennepin County and Homegrown Minneapolis are partnering with local chefs to share their top tips for planning, cooking, and using up food. Stop by this chef demonstration!
Quick Pickle Demo @ the Bloomington Farmers Market
Saturday, October 17
9 – 9:30 a.m., Farmers Market Amphitheater
10 – 10:30 a.m., Black Box Theater
Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington
Learn how to capture the harvest flavors longer without canning! Quick pickling is a solution for preserving almost any vegetable with minimal effort. Lizzie Streit of It's a Veg World After All will demonstrate how to quick pickle several different kinds of veggies and how to adapt to a simple formula at home.
More information and RSVP (not required)
East Lake Vegan Recipe Club
Tuesday, October 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online
If you are curious about vegan cooking, this virtual club is for you! Each month participants make recipes from popular cookbooks prior to meeting, then share their reflections with the group. Novice to expert cooks are welcome, as are interested non-cooks. Offered by East Lake Library in partnership with Compassionate Action for Animals.
Learn more
Cooking Through the Lens of Science
Wednesdays, October 7, 21, and 28, 6 – 9 p.m.
Lake Harriet Upper Elementary School, 4912 Vincent Ave. S., Minneapolis
This class will focus on the scientific underpinnings of both cooking and baking, and how to manipulate food for a desired outcome – explaining the mechanisms for why it works and providing examples of how it is done not only in professional kitchens, but also in the world's largest food companies.
Register through Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education
Meal Planning for Real Life
Wednesday, October 21, 6:15 – 7:45 p.m.
Edison High School, 700 22nd Ave. NE, Minneapolis
This workshop is not about Pinterest-perfect meal prep – it's about building a realistic, flexible system that works for your actual life. In this course, students will create a personalized "Flexible Playbook" for meal planning that reduces stress, saves mental energy, and makes weeknight meals feel more manageable.
Register through Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education
Backyard Composting Workshop
Thursday, October 22, 6 – 7 p.m.
Palace Rec Center, 781 Palace Ave., St. Paul
Join us to learn the basics of backyard composting in this one-hour workshop!
Register
Home Composting
Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Virtual
Discover the science behind home composting and its benefits! Receive information on different composting methods, recommended compostable materials, and common uses of compost around the yard and garden.
Register through St. Paul Community Education
Good Neighbors, Good Food: How to join the food rescue movement
Wednesday, October 28, 6 p.m.
Online
Explore fun, meaningful ways to build connection with neighbors by sharing food and helping food rescue programs. Ann Hill from Twin Cities Food Justice and Jenny Kedward from Hennepin County will share simple community-oriented ideas that make eating well and saving food a shared experience.
Register
Bundle Dyeing with Food Waste
Thursday, October 29, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Arvonne Fraser Library, 1222 4th St. SE, Minneapolis
Drop in to learn how to turn your kitchen waste into a kaleidoscope of color onto a bandana! Work with materials such as red and yellow onion skins, coffee grounds, tea bags, vegetable skins, and spices. Materials provided. Collaborator: Textile Center.
Learn more
Find Your Local Farmers Market
Farmers markets are a great opportunity to try fresh local foods. Check with market for special programs and incentives such as SNAP/EBT Market Bucks matching. Search Minnesota Grown’s farmers market directory to find a market near you.