The viral claim you're referencing stems from the explosive Feeding Our Future scandal, a $250 million COVID-era fraud scheme that defrauded U.S. taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs. At its heart is Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis—a Somali-owned spot that allegedly claimed to feed 4,000–6,000 children daily but was caught serving just 40 people per day, per FBI surveillance. The restaurant raked in $12 million in federal funds from 2020–2022, making it the top profiteer among ~200 sites. This bombshell resurfaced in late October 2025 via social media clips from the ongoing trials, igniting outrage over wasted pandemic aid meant for vulnerable kids.
How the Scam Worked
- The Setup: Feeding Our Future (FOF), a Minnesota nonprofit, oversaw federal programs like the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Vendors like Safari submitted inflated claims for meals served to low-income kids, especially Somali and immigrant communities.
- The Lie: Safari reported serving breakfast, lunch, and snacks to thousands daily—totaling ~$12M in reimbursements. But undercover FBI ops showed empty lots, no kids, and meals dumped in trash or sold on the street.
- The Network: FOF's founder Aimee Bock and execs funneled cash to insiders, including restaurant owners. Bock was convicted in July 2025 on 11 wire fraud counts, facing up to 20 years. Other players like S&S Catering (linked to FOF sites) got 51-month sentences for similar grifts.
The Exposure & Fallout
- How It Broke: IRS Criminal Investigation and FBI raids in 2022 uncovered the rot—fake invoices, sham sites, and luxury buys (e.g., Lambos, Dubai trips). The Telegraph and Sahan Journal dug deep in 2025 trials, highlighting Safari's role.
- Community Hit: Somali Minnesotans (largest U.S. diaspora) feel the sting—scammers exploited trust in ethnic networks, tainting legit aid efforts. One vendor's owner fled to Somalia; others face decades.
- Bigger Picture: This was COVID's dark underbelly—loose rules let fraud balloon. Feds recovered ~$50M, but the rest? Poof. It's sparked calls for tighter audits and no more "honor system" reimbursements.
Viral X posts (e.g., from @EndWokeness) amplified it last week, framing it as "immigrant welfare abuse," but it's more a tale of greed exploiting crisis aid. Justice is rolling—more trials loom. Thoughts on how to fraud-proof these programs?
🚨MASSIVE FRAUD EXPOSED: A Somali restaurant in Minneapolis claimed to be feeding 6,000 children every single day…Investigators say they fed just 40 kids in six weeks while pocketing $12 MILLION in federal cash.INSANE— Jack (@jackunheard) November 8, 2025
