There are many places to access free food in Hennepin County. Food shelves, food box programs, and free meal sites are shown on the free food resource map.
Public Health Promotion
We promote community well-being and prevent chronic disease for people who live, work, learn, and play in Hennepin County.
We are building a healthier and more resilient county by collaborating with community partners. Together, we foster bold, collective action and use data to inform our decisions. Health equity and anti-racism is a priority in everything we do.
Our partners include community-based organizations, cities, faith groups, healthcare settings, schools, and worksites. Contact us to learn more about partnering with Public Health Promotion.
Our priorities
We drive changes in policies, systems, and environments to improve our communities' health. Public Health Promotion shares funding opportunities available to our partners to do this work.
An example of this is partnering with schools to rethink policies that address vaping among students.
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We raise best practices to foster bold, shared action. We have a variety of free resources available to our partners. Resources include campaigns, trainings, toolkits, and consultations on specific topics.
Worksite campaigns
The Health@Work team offers campaigns for workplace wellness coordinators to run at their workplace.
Explore upcoming worksite campaigns.
Health@School resources
The Health@School team develops resources for school employees, parents, and caregivers.
Explore resources to create safe and positive school environments.
School consultations
Health@School staff are available to provide no-cost consultations on:
- Active recess and other physical activity initiatives
- Healthy cafeteria assessments and other healthy eating initiatives
- Safe routes to school
- School climate initiatives
- Commercial tobacco-free K-12 schools
- Commercial tobacco-free post-secondary schools
For more information, email samantha.lucas-pipkorn@hennepin.us.
Substance use prevention consultations
Public Health Promotion staff are available to provide no-cost consultations on:
- Commercial tobacco-free parks, workplaces, schools, multi-family housing, and other indoor and outdoor spaces
- Commercial tobacco quitting resources
- City regulatory and licensing policies on alcohol, commercial tobacco, and other drugs
- Youth prevention strategies
- Community coalitions
For more information, email cassandra.stepan@hennepin.us.
We collaborate with community to leverage wisdom and invest in community-led solutions. We bring together groups to build relationships, share resources, and advise work efforts. These groups help us be responsive to community need.
Hennepin County Worksite Advisory Council
This group of wellness coordinators from companies throughout Hennepin County provide input to Hennepin County Public Health Promotion. This helps ensure our worksite wellness trainings, programs, and resources are valuable and effective. New members are always welcome.
To learn more or become a member of the council, e-mail kelly.harjes@hennepin.us.
Health@Work networking event
Local worksite wellness coordinators gather for a morning of virtual learning and conversation on current topics in worksite health promotion.
To learn more, e-mail kelly.harjes@hennepin.us.
To connect to other worksite wellness coordinators join Health@Work's LinkedIn group.
Food security partners network
This group focuses on food systems in Hennepin County. 10.5% of households in Hennepin County experience food insecurity (2022 SHAPE data). Public Health Promotion is building capacity to strengthen our food systems through a county-wide, comprehensive approach.
To learn more, email dianne.blaydes@hennepin.us.
Health@School’s substance use prevention network
This network is staff members from various school districts working in substance use prevention. We encourage school employees to develop relationships with others across the county, identify shared challenges and best practices, and provide support to each other.
To learn more, email cathy.rude@hennepin.us.
We share resources to promote community well-being and prevent chronic disease.
Health@Work e-tips
Our newsletter shares opportunities for worksites to promote healthy opportunities.
To join the Health@Work newsletter, email anne.nelson@hennepin.us.
Health@School newsletter
Our team assembles a quarterly newsletter with resources for healthy school environments.
To join the Health@School newsletter, email jackie.billhymer@hennepin.us.
Cannabis is a plant that contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is what gives you a “high.” Cannabis can be smoked, vaped or consumed as edibles. Edibles are products made with cannabis that you can eat or drink. Edibles often resemble food products such as cookies, chocolate, gummy candy, and beverages.
Cannabis and youth fact sheets
- Facts for parents and caregivers - English (PDF, 1MB)
- Cov lus tseeb txog xas (cannabis) - Hmong (PDF, 1MB)
- Xashiishka iyo dhalinyarada - Somali (PDF, 1MB)
- El cannabis y los jóvenes - Spanish (PDF, 1MB)
Legislation
The state of Minnesota legalized edible cannabinoid products in July 2022 and began working on legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis soon after. Minnesotans age 21 and older may legally possess, use, and grow cannabis as of August 1, 2023. Read the law's 2023 summary here.
THC overdose symptoms and response
There are many symptoms of THC overdose including excessive sleepiness, nausea/vomiting, rapid heart rate, and slurred speech. If you suspect a THC overdose or if a child has consumed a product with THC, contact Poison Control immediately.Contact
- Poison Control: 1-800-222-2222
- mnpoison.org
Resources
Minnesota Department of Health:
- Cannabis and Your Health (Minnesota Department of Health)
- Preventing Unintentional Poisonings from Cannabis Products (Minnesota Department of Health)
- Submitting edible cannabinoid product complaints (Minnesota Department of Health)
Other resources:
- Minnesota's New Cannabis Law (Public Health Law Center)
- Minnesota Regulation of Legalized Cannabis FAQ (Public Health Law Center)
- Health Effects of Marijuana (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory: Marijuana Use and the Developing Brain (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
- SAMHSA Advisory: Cannabidiol (CBD) - Potential Harms, Side Effects, and Unknowns (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Cannabis Research Center, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota