Minnesota flagged food-aid fraud in 2019
Multiple former Minnesota Department of Education employees told CBS News they spotted signs of fraud tied to Feeding Our Future in July 2019—months before COVID—then faced pressure from the nonprofit’s leader, Aimee Bock, to ease scrutiny. Prosecutors say FOF ultimately falsely claimed 91 million meals and received nearly $250 million before FBI raids in January 2022; the scandal has yielded 61 convictions and 78 total charges, and a 2020 FOF discrimination suit against the state was dismissed after the federal probe became public.
📌 Key Facts
- State officials say anomalies appeared in July 2019, with claims deemed “not consistent” and “not realistic.”
- FOF leader Aimee Bock allegedly pressured staff; FOF sued Minnesota in 2020 alleging discrimination, a case later dismissed after FBI search warrants in Jan. 2022.
- Federal prosecutors say FOF falsely claimed 91 million meals, took nearly $250 million; the case has produced 61 convictions and 78 total charges.
📊 Relevant Data
Approximately 107,000 people of Somali descent live in Minnesota, representing about 2% of the state's total population as of 2024.
By the numbers: Minnesota's Somali population, according to Census data — KTTC
36% of the Somali population in Minnesota lives below the poverty level.
22% of Somali-American households in the Midwest were food insecure, compared to 10% of all U.S. households.
New study highlights role of 'social capital' in contributing to food security of Somali-American households — University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Many of the 78 individuals charged in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme are from the Somali community in Minnesota.
Minnesota Somalis fearful but defiant after Trump insults, ICE surge — Reuters