Make an Appointment to Shop

Local families that want to shop the CAER Food Shelf should make an appointment. Appointment times are open 72 hours in advance, and scheduling is easy.

Food Distribution Hours with Appointment

Food Distribution Hours with Appointment

Monday           10 am - 1:30 pm

Wednesday    10 am - 1:30 pm

Thursday        4:30 pm - 6 pm 

​Friday               10 am - 12 pm


Kids Weekend CAER Packages may be picked up without an appointment on Thursdays and Fridays during food distribution hours.

About Your Appointment

Food shelf shopping is available once per family per month. Upon scheduling your appointment, you will receive an email confirming the date and time. Appointments are available 72 hours in advance. If you don’t see appointments listed, they may be either filled or currently unavailable.

If you are going to be late for your appointment or don’t have an email address, please call 763.441.1020 so that we may assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

First-time visitors and even those familiar with CAER Food Shelf often have questions about the shopping process, eligibility, and more. We’re here to answer some of those most-asked questions for a more comfortable experience.

  • What kind of food items can I find at CAER?

    We offer a variety of healthy, nutritious food such as milk, eggs, dairy products, meat, fish, breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, and bakery items, along with a selection of nonperishable food items.

  • How often can I receive food?

    Food shelf shopping appointments are available once per household each calendar month. Families with children K-12 can pick up a Kids Weekend CAER Package every Thursday or Friday without an appointment.

  • How do I know if I’m eligible?

    Food programs are available to any resident in need. Based on The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) eligibility guidelines, you must declare that a) you are in Minnesota, and b) your household income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines listed on the TEFAP chart.

  • What should I expect from a shopping appointment?

    CAER is a client-choice food shelf, which means you select your items. You will not need to bring identification. We will simply need to know your name and the number of people in your household or family. 


    We will give you a tour of the facility and explain how to make food selections based on your family size, preferences, and needs. Then, you’ll be given a cart to “shop” for food and products, after which volunteers will bag your items, bring your cart to the parking lot, and load your vehicle.

  • Do I need to live in Elk River to use CAER Food Shelf?

    As a no-boundaries food shelf, CAER welcomes individuals in need from any city. If there are food shelves in your local area, however, we do encourage you to utilize those resources. The Hunger Solutions website has a map of food shelf locations, or we’d be happy to help you find additional resources.