A Fresh Look at Food Access: Wells Area Food Shelf's SuperShelf Transformation

In October 2024, the Wells Area Food Shelf marked a major milestone: it became the first Certified SuperShelf site in Faribault County thanks to the support of the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP)! This transformation was about more than updating shelving and signage, it was about dignity, choice, and creating a space where every shopper feels respected and supported.

The Wells Area Food Shelf was started in 1983 to serve the Faribault County, Minnesota area. As a non-profit organization, it provides food for those in the county who are in need of food for their families. The Wells Area Food Shelf is run by a dedicated team of long-term volunteers who support shoppers with registration, food selection, weighing, translation, and carry-out services. Many have been with the food shelf for over five years, and their commitment has been vital to the transformation's success. 

Reimagining the Food Shelf Experience

SuperShelf is a client-informed, choice-based model that transforms traditional food shelves into welcoming, grocery store-like environments. It's designed to make the healthiest choice the easiest choice, while honoring cultural preferences and individual needs. With support from Faribault, Martin, and Watonwan Counties SHIP and SuperShelf staff from Minnesota Extension, the Wells Area Food Shelf embraced this new model to better serve its community.

The transformation was both practical and inspiring. Key upgrades included:

• Reorganizing shelves to group similar products together and clearly label categories in English and Spanish.

• Replacing banquet tables with stainless steel commercial tables, funded by a $7,500 grant from Hunger Solutions.

• Installing bilingual signage to designate food types like fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains—making the space more inclusive and easier to navigate.

• Adding decorative wall hangings and decals that depict fresh, healthy foods and brighten both the shopping and waiting areas.

• Painting the space a sunny yellow with bright blue trim to create a warm, welcoming environment.

The space is also more user friendly for shoppers. When entering from the back of the building, shoppers move through a thoughtfully designed space:

• Shelf-stable foods are located on the right side, organized into Fruits & Vegetables, Protein, and Grains. Each section includes signage with item limits per household.

• Perishables are displayed on the left side in uniform bins and commercial fridge/freezer units, including produce, dairy, meat, and bakery items.

• Personal care and household goods are housed in the back left corner, with items like dish soap, diapers, shampoo, and pet care products displayed on matching wire shelving.

After shopping, volunteers assist with weighing groceries and carrying them out, if needed, adding a personal and thoughtful touch to the experience.

Food Shelf Coordinator Donna Weckwerth eagerly shared her thoughts on the transformation, "Our food shelf looks cleaner and more inviting… The stainless steel tables are more sanitary than the wooden ones. The containers are better and cleaner than the boxes we used to line the shelves or display the produce. The shelves are more organized and easy to access."

What the Data Shows

The transformation was guided by shopper and volunteer feedback:

• 68% of shoppers have been visiting for over a year.

• 33% follow diabetic-friendly diets, with additional needs for low-sodium and vegetarian options.

• 85% of repeat shoppers reported they were able to use most or all of the food they received.

• 100% of surveyed shoppers said they were treated fairly and with respect and would recommend the food shelf to others.

• Volunteers also reported that SuperShelf changes improved the experience for both shoppers and staff.

These efforts helped the food shelf not only increase its capacity but also deepen its connection with the community. The food shelf:

• Had a significant increase in food distribution volume.
• Had more consistent volunteer engagement.
• Saw better visibility in the community, leading to increased support.
• Had a renewed sense of purpose among staff and volunteers.

"Donna just ran with the idea of becoming a SuperShelf, and was really excited about the process… Watching everything come to fruition has been amazing. It's a totally transformed space! We hope having this really welcoming space helps break down barriers when someone needs to access the food shelf." - Kaley Hernandez, FMW SHIP Coordinator

Explore the full transformation journey, data insights, and community impact in the Wells Area Food Shelf SuperShelf Case Study Report