Food shelf discusses Watertown plans, upcoming events

Waconia’s Gather and Grow food shelf announced in April it is expanding to Watertown and that community’s food shelf located in the city hall building at 309 Lewis Ave. South.

What that means is some changes are coming to the Watertown site over the next six months to get it certified as a Super Shelf like Waconia, according to Angie Cruzen, Gather and Grow executive director.

Among those changes are to improve the food shelf with new layout and fresh decor to create a welcoming and dignified shopping experience. Also, a greater variety of food options, healthier options, and ultimately a shopper-choice model where people can come inside and choose their own groceries.

Cruzen indicated other goals are to build a dynamic and strong volunteer base, and strengthen community partnerships with local businesses and the faith community.

Later this summer or early fall, plans are to have a parking lot party to welcome the Watertown community inside the updated food shelf site and celebrate the ability to make a bigger positive impact in that area.

In other food shelf news, the totals are in from the latest Minnesota Food Share campaign. The Waconia food shelf collected more than 18,000 pounds of food and nearly $31,000 from the annual month-long drive held among food shelves and food banks state-wide.

Next up is Walk on Waconia coming up May 18. This marks the second year that Gather and Grow has led the fundraiser, and Cruzen reports that registrations and donations are going strong.

A community pasta meal again kicks off Walk weekend that Friday, this year at Sovereign Estate Winery. The family friendly event will be catered by Pangea Café, and all Walk on Waconia participants will be able to get into Sovereign’s live music event the same night.

There is also a new walk/run route this year due to Main Street construction so participants will not need to worry about the dreaded hills toward the end of the race, Cruzen said.

On walk/race Saturday morning, there will also be food trucks, face painting, llamas and more at the start/finish line for all to enjoy.

Folks can register at walkonwaconia.com and donate at https://gatherandgrowmn.org/donate/ .