Exciting News: Major Funding Boost for Rural Grocery Food Hub Initiative!

In North Dakota, a new project aims to revamp the rural food system. It’s all about keeping grocery stores open and boosting access to local foods. The pilot initiative will test a grocery and local food hub model in the north-central region. If it works, it could spread to other parts of North Dakota and rural America.

Ellen Huber from the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) highlights a pressing issue: “Traditional delivery models often fail rural areas.” She envisions a future where local networks, rather than distant supply chains, drive the food system. This could help strengthen communities and support small businesses.

Over the past decade, NDAREC has noted a concerning trend. Small-town grocery stores have dwindled from 137 in 2014 to just 90 today. Many rural residents now face food deserts, areas where they must travel over 10 miles to find a grocery store. Huber points out that local stores struggle because they pay more for products than consumers do at big-box chains.

The project will encourage rural grocery stores to work together to improve wholesale pricing and product variety. Additionally, it plans to engage local farmers and create a food hub to store and distribute locally sourced foods.

A food hub is an organization that manages the collection and distribution of food. These hubs can provide services like transportation, marketing, and even training for local producers. A recent feasibility study in the area around Minot found six to eight grocery stores interested in this approach, with hopes of bringing more on board.

Huber notes, “Despite North Dakota’s strong agricultural output, much of it is processed out of state, only to return at a higher price.” The goal is clear: to offer residents easy access to fresh, healthy foods grown in their own state.

This initiative is backed by a significant $12.6 million grant from the Bush Foundation. The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC), in partnership with NDAREC and local cooperatives, will lead this multi-year project. This funding marks one of the largest investments in rural grocery access in North Dakota’s history.

Lyndsay Ulrickson from the Bush Foundation emphasizes the importance of this initiative. “We support transformative ideas that can change lives and communities,” she says. This food hub could enhance food access, uplift grocery stores, foster a thriving local food network, and inspire similar initiatives across the country.

In conclusion, this project not only addresses immediate needs but also has the potential to build long-lasting support for rural economies, reminding us that local efforts can make a big difference.

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