Another Defendant Enters Plea In Feeding Our Future Case

A Minneapolis woman has entered a plea for her role in the Feeding Our Future scheme. 

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick, Najmo M. Ahmed (35) pleaded guilty Monday to exploiting a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Kirkpatrick says Ahmed helped her husband Said Ereg run a small storefront grocery store in Minneapolis called Evergreen Grocery and Deli. The two claimed to have served more than 3,250 children, twice a day, during the week of January 24th, 2021. In total, Evergreen Grocery and Deli claimed more than 1.4 million meals to children and received more than $4.2 million in payments from Feeding Our Future based on fraudulent claims. 

Authorities say Ahmed transferred at least $1,147,348 in funding from her personal bank accounts to foreign textile and trading companies such as Shaoxing Aifan Textile Co. She also used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Ahmed pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.