FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
The USDA estimates that 27 percent of all food produced in the United States never makes it to the dinner table. This is at the same time thousands of children, seniors and working parents across North Dakota and western Minnesota are living with, or at immediate risk of, hunger. Our role at the Great Plains Food Bank is to get this surplus food from those who have it, to those who need it.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION PATH
Where Does the Food Come From?
Since 1983, we have partnered with hundreds of food industry members to recover surplus shelf-stable and perishable food product. This is food that would otherwise go to waste. Our partners include local, regional and national growers, processors, manufacturers, retailers, federal and state government food programs, food drives and Feeding America, the nation’s network of 200 food banks.
The Great Plains Food Bank
On a daily basis our team recovers, safely handles, sorts, repacks and prepares this food and grocery product for monthly distribution to 200 partner food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and feeding programs across North Dakota and Clay County, Minn. Annually we deliver more than 21 million pounds helping to provide more than 17 million meals.
Our Partner Network
This network is comprised of soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries and other feeding sites and non-profit organizations who serve and distribute food to people in need. In a single year, our network provides needed food assistance to more than 150,000 individuals (36 percent children and 12 percent seniors).
Our Neighbors in Need
Many people benefit from the efforts of our food industry donors, our volunteers, financial supporters and our partner agency network. Our programs and services reach the elderly, children, working poor, single-parent families, the homeless, newly unemployed and those struggling to make it to the end of each month.
Together we can solve hunger.
FRESH PRODUCE INITIATIVE
In partnership with five other food banks in the Upper Midwest as well as local growers and distributors, the Great Plains Food Bank fills critical dietary needs by bringing in regular loads of surplus fruits and vegetables from around the country for use by our partner agencies. We also welcome donations from farmers and ranchers across North Dakota and Clay County, Minn., for distribution to our partner agencies across the state.
