FARGO — The Great Plains Food Bank, along with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, is encouraging farmers, growers and gardeners in the state to consider making food donations this summer as part of the Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project. First launched in 2009, the project encourages anyone in the state with additional fresh produce to make donations to the Great Plains Food Bank or to their partner food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.
Interested growers are asked to begin planning to grow additional rows in their gardens or fields now. When harvest comes around, the produce can be donated and will be distributed immediately to help feed hungry North Dakotans.
A list of Great Plains Food Bank partners accepting fresh produce donations as a part of the Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project can be found at https://rb.gy/3akm7 .
“Each year we look forward to working with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture on the Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project,” Great Plains Food Bank CEO Melissa Sobolik said via press release. “This is a program that impacts so many North Dakotans by connecting those in our state who produce the food that keeps us all fed and gets it into the hands of their neighbors struggling with food insecurity or hunger. We hope anyone and everyone with the capacity to grow produce considers donating to this incredible project.”
One in six individuals across the state of North Dakota turn to the Great Plains Food Bank each year for food assistance, according to the press release. With the cost of inflation and high food prices, the Great Plains Food Bank witnessed a 14% increase in the need for food assistance in 2022 while food donations dropped by 21%.
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For more information, visit greatplainsfoodbank.org .
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