The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA), Lutheran Social Services, Great Plains Food Bank, NDSU Extension Service, Dakota College at Bottineau, Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, The North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association, Healthy North Dakota and Pride of Dakota have teamed up to create a Hunger Free North Dakota.

The NDDA is committed to address the hunger issue in our state through the local foods initiative.  We are encouraging farmers and gardeners to plant an extra acre or row of produce and donate fresh fruits and vegetable to food pantries, soup kitchens, and other charitable community programs.  Everyone in the state is invited to become a part of the project and help your neighbors in need. 

This project will accomplish five fundamental goals:

1. Grow and distribute a minimum of 500,000 pounds of fresh produce to North Dakota’s food pantries, shelters and charitable organizations.
2. Build a distribution system to supply ND with fresh and healthy produce.
3. Recognize the quantities of fruits and vegetables grown in the state.
4. Improve local diets through donation and education of local foods.
5. Connect local produce in communities through farmers and gardeners.

The produce will be weighed and distributed in each community.  The Great Plains Food Bank and the NDDA will coordinate the pounds donated throughout the harvest season.

Communities or individuals are invited to become a part of the project.  Information is available from the NDDA.  Check out the resources listed below to help discover how you can get involved. 

For more information contact Jamie Good at 701-328-2659 or email jgood@nd.gov