In a shocking revelation, Qamar Hassan, owner of S&S Catering in Minneapolis, admitted to falsifying meal counts as part of the Feeding Our Future program. The business, which started in 2018 on Lake Street, became involved with the federal meal program in 2020. Initially attracted by the financial success of other participants, Hassan soon found herself at the center of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. Prosecutors presented evidence showing Hassan claimed to serve thousands of children daily from her small catering operation. Her testimony revealed that these numbers were grossly inflated, leading to an illicit payout exceeding $16 million. The case has also implicated other key figures, including the founder of Feeding Our Future, Aimee Bock, who is currently on trial for her involvement.

Hassan's fraudulent activities escalated rapidly after joining the meal site program. She began by falsely reporting that her small catering store was serving 2,500 meals per day to children. During her testimony, she admitted that these claims were entirely false. "I was not thinking straight at the time," Hassan stated, acknowledging that the primary motive was financial gain. The deception did not stop there; Hassan expanded her operations by becoming a meal provider to multiple sites within the same building as her business. Each site reportedly served thousands of children daily, all of which were exaggerated claims. The total amount siphoned off from federal funds reached over $16 million. This windfall enabled Hassan to purchase her Lake Street property for $5 million, using what she described as "food money."

The investigation into the Feeding Our Future program has uncovered a web of deceit involving several individuals. Aimee Bock, the executive director and founder of the organization, stands trial alongside Salim Said, who registered numerous meal sites claiming to source food from his Minneapolis restaurant, Safari. Bock's defense team argues that she was unaware of the fraudulent activities, asserting that others misled her. However, FBI testimony suggests otherwise. An agent testified that it took only seconds to recognize the unrealistic nature of the meal claims, casting doubt on Bock's claim of ignorance. Moreover, Hassan's comments about Bock's awareness further undermine this defense. When questioned about her limited interaction with Bock, Hassan remarked, "They can see. They know. They have a brain. I don’t have to talk." This statement implies that Bock could not have been oblivious to the fraudulent activities.

The trial has also shed light on the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the program's success. Jurors viewed footage of a party held for Bock after she won a court challenge against the Minnesota Department of Education, which had previously halted the approval of new meal sites. In response to questions about the celebration, Bock simply replied, "all the money," highlighting the financial incentives driving the scheme. This case underscores the significant impact of fraud on public programs designed to benefit vulnerable populations, raising serious concerns about oversight and accountability.