Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tarkor Zehn and Tom Crann
Brooklyn Center

Local food shelf provides culturally specific foods for immigrant communities

CAPI is a nonprofit with a food shelf designed to serve immigrants and refugees

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Ekta Prakash
Ekta Prakash is the the executive director of CAPI. The nonprofit provides culturally specific food for immigrant and refugee communities in need.
CAPI

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it tough for many Minnesotans who are already experiencing food insecurities. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the state is the seventh worst in the nation for share of residents with access to healthy foods.

For immigrants or refugees facing hardships, finding food that caters to their culture can be even harder. The nonprofit CAPI is an organization that helps the newest Minnesotans navigate social services and has offered a culturally specific food shelf in Brooklyn Center for over 30 years.

“The organization was founded in 1982 after the Vietnam War, and the sole purpose was to provide culturally specific food,” said Ekta Prakash, executive director of CAPI.

From jasmine rice and Asian noodles, to curry powder and even bamboo shoots, CAPI offers cultural must-haves that typically wouldn’t be found at a local food shelf. The nonprofit has since expanded to serve all immigrants, refugees and communities of color in the Twin Cities. Prakash said the work is necessary now more than ever.

“It becomes really important because as for many cultures that's how you connect is food,” she said. 

Prakash said it has been hard finding the culturally specific items throughout the COVID-19 pandemic but hopes CAPI can stay afloat as new and old faces come to find food that remind them of home. 

Click the audio player above to learn more about how CAPI is serving immigrant communities during the pandemic.