Minnesota Officials: Signs of Feeding Our Future Fraud Appeared Before COVID — Probe Uncovers Over $1 Billion Lost

Officials Say Early Red Flags Emerged in 2019

Multiple former Minnesota Department of Education employees say they first noticed suspicious activity tied to the charity Feeding Our Future in July 2019 — months before the COVID-19 pandemic and before pandemic-era relief programs expanded. According to those former staffers, the group's early reimbursement requests raised internal concerns, but employees say they faced pressure from the charity's leaders to stop follow-up questioning.

Timeline and Scope

State records indicate Feeding Our Future initially billed roughly $3.4 million during its first interactions with Minnesota. Federal prosecutors later allege the organization falsely claimed it served about 91 million meals and received nearly $250 million tied to those claims. Investigators and federal sources say the scheme is part of broader fraud tied to pandemic-era relief programs that now exceed $1 billion in total alleged losses.

Investigators say the funds originated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and were administered at the state level by Minnesota's Department of Education, which historically distributed child nutrition payments to schools and day-care centers. Former state employees told reporters they documented what they described as the charity's "concerning behavior," including pressure from the charity's leader to avoid follow-up inquiries.

Acceleration During the Pandemic and Legal Fallout

Officials say the fraud accelerated after safeguards were relaxed early in the pandemic to ensure that children and families in need continued receiving food. As state employees began blocking some payments and asking tougher questions, Feeding Our Future intensified its response — going so far as to file a 2020 lawsuit alleging discrimination and extra procedural hurdles. That civil case was dismissed after the FBI executed search warrants and publicly disclosed its investigation in January 2022.

Federal prosecutors brought criminal charges in 2022 and later expanded the indictments. Across related investigations, roughly 87 people have been charged and at least 61 individuals have been convicted so far, including Aimee Bock, who has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Bock's attorney says she plans to appeal and denies allegations that she intimidated state officials.

Political and Community Impact

The prosecutions have intersected with racial and political tensions. Investigators describe Bock, who is White, as a central figure, while many other defendants are members of Minnesota's Somali community. Critics argue that early concern about appearing discriminatory may have complicated oversight, while others emphasize that the criminal activity should not be used to stigmatize an entire community.

Recent public comments by former President Donald Trump about Somali migrants in Minnesota prompted strong condemnation from Governor Tim Walz and renewed attention to the case. Separately, House Republicans have opened an investigation into the governor's handling of the matter. Federal investigations remain ongoing.

What Remains Unclear

Numbers and legal outcomes continue to evolve as investigations progress and appeals proceed. Authorities say the probes cover not only nutrition programs but also other alleged pandemic-era schemes involving housing assistance and behavioral health services.

Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick: "They took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to carry out a massive fraud scheme that stole money meant to feed children."

Note: The figures cited reflect reporting and public statements available at the time of publication; charges, convictions and total estimated losses may be updated as investigations continue.