Massive Minnesota Fraud Schemes Involving Feeding Our Future Cost Taxpayers Over $1 Billion
Minnesota has been the center of extensive fraud schemes connected to the Feeding Our Future program, collectively costing taxpayers at least $1 billion across state and federal programs. These schemes involved networks of operators and shell companies that submitted fake invoices and bills, defrauding child-nutrition and Medicaid funds.
One major scheme uncovered involved fraudulent entities registered at the Griggs-Midway Building in St. Paul. Twenty-two fraudulent HSS program entities were tied to this single location, allegedly existing solely to defraud the system. These entities billed Medicaid about $8 million from January 2024 through May 2025. Investigations by the Minnesota Department of Human Services led to roughly 40 inquiries into providers linked to this address. Additionally, other claimed addresses associated with fraudulent claims were found to be fake or non-existent, including sites in Roseville and Minneapolis. Some buildings housed real businesses, but the fraudulent entities did not operate there. GOP lawmakers, led by State Sen. Mark Koran, criticized the Walz administration, highlighting complaints from about 30 property owners claiming to operate pretend facilities with non-existent operations, as the Department of Education continued paying millions through Feeding Our Future.
Separately, the scheme led by Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock fraudulently obtained nearly $250 million in federal child-nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bock and her network claimed to have served 91 million meals. On March 19, 2025, Bock was convicted by a federal jury on wire fraud, conspiracy, and bribery charges; co-conspirator Salim Said also was found guilty. Prosecutors presented court exhibits showing lavish purchases funded by the fraud, including a $250,000 Plymouth home, a $2.7 million Minneapolis office building serving as Safari Group headquarters, luxury vehicles such as a Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA, and a 2021 Chevy Silverado, as well as designer bags and jewelry. Said used funds to buy real estate and vehicles, while the Safari Restaurant allegedly served more than 4,000 meals per day.
Within the scheme, Bock acted as a "gatekeeper," approving meal sites and signing reimbursement documents. Evidence included a $30,000 cash withdrawal linked to a kickback scheme. The Safari Group formed the largest cell within Feeding Our Future; more than a dozen other networks also operated under the umbrella, collectively submitting over $250 million in fake invoices. At least 78 people have been indicted as part of the ongoing investigation. DOJ slides presented emails in which Bock accused the Minnesota Department of Education of racism and referenced a 2021 ruling that restarted reimbursements, which prosecutors say enabled the scheme's escalation.
These intertwined schemes reveal a widespread network of fraud involving fake offices, phony firms, and high-level coordination, severely impacting Minnesota taxpayers and federal programs.
