Great Plains Food Bank

 

FARGO, N.D. – The Great Plains Food Bank has begun distributing food entering its service area through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families (F2F) Food Box Program. The program is a part of the federal government’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act as a way to support farmers struggling with surplus food product, regional and local food distributors impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service entities, and hungry people impacted by COVID-19. The USDA has allocated up to $3 billion to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat from farmers that the USDA will help distribute to those in need through the Great Plains Food Bank and other nonprofits.

“At a time when our clientele is increasing and we have a dire need for food, it’s disheartening to see stories of farmers leaving product in the fields or being forced to dump their excess milk. The Farmers to Families Food Box Program really is a win-win-win; for the farmers, distributors, and for our hungry neighbors,” Great Plains Food Bank President Melissa Sobolik said. “Our work is centered on logistics and being certain that we serve these high quality food items to those in need efficiently and safely. This program goes so far to eliminating some of that loss and getting it into the hands of those most hurt by this pandemic.”

USDA awarded contracts equaling $1.2 billion from May 15 to June 30, 2020, to contracted suppliers who create family-sized boxes of fresh produce, dairy and meat items. These boxes are transported to a location determined by the partnering food bank/nonprofit. The Great Plains Food Bank is partnering with contracted suppliers to distribute truckloads of fresh produce through a series of distributions throughout the state, Clay County, Minn., and all five of the state’s tribal reservations. USDA may elect to extend the timeframe of the program and contracts.

Distributions of fresh produce are happening throughout this week with distributions in Belcourt, Bismarck, Mandan, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate reservation, Devils Lake, Grand Forks and Fargo. Throughout the month of June, eight to nine semi-trucks of produce will be distributed each week; equating to over 1 million pounds of produce. There are no income requirements to receive food assistance through the program and all those in need are welcome.

Find a complete list and schedule of the F2F Food Box distributions HERE.