The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro is home to the largest Somali American community in the United States, anchored by the historic Cedar-Riverside neighborhood (often called “Little Mogadishu”) and stretching across Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, and the surrounding Twin Cities. Somali Minnesotans are joined by Oromo, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Bosnian, and Arab Muslim families, together forming one of the most distinctive Muslim communities in America. At Desert Sun Dates, we ship our hand-harvested California Medjool dates (tamr al-majhool, تمر المجهول) directly from our private date ranch to Twin Cities families for Iftar, Suhoor, and Eid celebrations.

Jumbo California Medjool dates Tamr Al-Majhool shipped to Minneapolis Cedar-Riverside from private date ranch

Cedar-Riverside & the Twin Cities Muslim Community

Somali refugees began arriving in Minnesota in the early 1990s, drawn by the state’s strong refugee resettlement infrastructure, affordable housing, and supportive social services. Over three decades, the community has grown to an estimated 80,000+ Somali Americans in the metro, with Cedar-Riverside as its historic center. The neighborhood’s high-rise apartments, halal restaurants, the Karmel Mall, and the Dar al-Hijrah Mosque form a distinctively Somali commercial and religious corridor steps from downtown Minneapolis.

Beyond Cedar-Riverside, masajid like the Masjid An-Nur in north Minneapolis, the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley, the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, and dozens of others serve communities scattered across both cities and their suburbs. Twin Cities Muslims have produced some of the most prominent Muslim American political leaders, including the first Somali American member of Congress.

Iftar (إفطار) in the Twin Cities

For Somali families, breaking fast often begins with dates and water, followed by sambusa, bariis iskukaris, suqaar, and maraq stews. Caano fadhi — soaked dates and milk — is a beloved traditional drink that connects directly to the prophetic sunnah. For Oromo and Ethiopian Muslim families, Iftar tables include injera with halal stews. For Pakistani and Indian families across Eden Prairie and Burnsville, samosas and biryani follow the dates. The date is the universal opening across every community.

Desert Sun Dates palm tree grove at private date ranch in Sky Valley California Coachella Valley

Why Twin Cities Families Order From Our Private Ranch

  • Ranch-direct freshness. Our Medjool dates ship within days of being hand-harvested on our private date ranch in the Coachella Valley.
  • Single-ingredient halal product. Whole Medjool dates with no glucose syrup, glazing oils, or additives.
  • Premium quality for community Iftars. The largest Twin Cities masajid host community Iftars throughout Ramadan — our jumbo Medjool dates are sized for these gatherings.
  • Reliable Midwest shipping. Most orders reach the Twin Cities within 3–5 business days.

Shipping to Minneapolis, St. Paul & the Twin Cities Metro

We deliver to Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Woodbury, Maplewood, Roseville, Coon Rapids, Blaine, and the broader seven-county metro. For Ramadan, we recommend ordering 1–2 weeks before the start of the month.

Order Premium Medjool Dates From Our Private Ranch

Premium California Medjool dates Tamr Al-Majhool shipped to Minneapolis Twin Cities

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Ramadan Mubarak (رمضان مبارك) to all of our friends in Cedar-Riverside, across Minneapolis and St. Paul, and throughout the Twin Cities — from our private ranch in California to yours.