See updated information in italics. The key worker to Minnesota's distribution of federal food supplies appears to be getting called back into work ... Food shelves remain open across Minnesota. However, 950,000 pounds of free ground beef, chicken, vegetables and other food from the federal government remain stored in the Second Harvest Heartland food bank warehouse in St. Paul instead of heading toward needy people. "About 20 percent of the food we distribute comes through that program," said Second Harvest executive director Rob Zeaske. "Why is it stuck here? Well, basically because the state told us not to deliver it." Another reason is that the shutdown resulted in the temporary layoff of Ty Morris, the only state employee who knows how to use new computer software allowing the state to accept the food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By Friday afternoon, however -- after asked by a reporter to explain their actions -- state officials decided to call Morris back to work – at least temporarily – and to give Second Harvest permission to distribute the federal food to food shelves. "Given the fact that food is available and in the warehouse, we have called back staff to ensure it gets delivered to those who need it," said Terry Gunderson, a spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services. Officials of several food programs were prepared to go to the special master Tuesday to argue that Morris be brought back to work, and that the state allow the food bank to distribute the commodities to food shelves. -- by Star Tribune reporter Warren Wolfe