The disability-employment nonprofit expands beyond its storefront
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Overview
Updated 1 hour agoHighland Popcorn, a St. Paul nonprofit that hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, obtained a state food-handler license for a mobile unit at 2185 Edgcumbe Rd. The record appeared on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's license list on September 10, 2026.
The mobile unit lets the organization sell popcorn at farmers markets, festivals, and events beyond its storefront in Highland Village. Founder Shamus O'Meara started the venture to give his autistic son, Conor, meaningful work; he hopes the model is one other employers can copy.
Why it matters
The license lets a small nonprofit extend its inclusion-focused employment model beyond a single storefront.
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Timeline
February 2026 September 2026
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Mobile food handler license recorded
Today LicensingHighland Popcorn LLC appears on Minnesota Department of Agriculture's license list for a mobile food handler at 2185 Edgcumbe Rd.
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Highland Popcorn opens store in Highland Village
OpeningThe nonprofit popcorn shop opens in St. Paul's Highland Village, hiring people with disabilities.
Historical Context
2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
Goodwill Industries (1902)
Methodist minister Edgar J. Helms started collecting used goods and hiring people with disabilities to repair and resell them. The first Goodwill store opened in Boston.
Created jobs and vocational training for disabled and poor individuals.
Grew into a global network of nonprofits employing millions, demonstrating sustainable social enterprise.
Highland Popcorn follows the same model: using revenue from retail operations to create meaningful work for people with disabilities.
Specialisterne (2004)
Danish engineer Thorkil Sonne founded Specialisterne, a company that trains and employs autistic people as software testers and consultants. The model spread to multiple countries.
Proved that people with autism can excel in skilled technical roles.
Inspired a global movement of 'neurodiversity' hiring, encouraging companies to adapt roles to individual strengths.
Highland Popcorn taps the same idea: matching repetitive, detail-oriented tasks to the strengths of employees with autism and other disabilities.
