Bismarck  (NDDA)  The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA), with support from the North Dakota Department of Human Services and the Indian Affairs Commission, awarded 80 grants totaling $2 million to help charitable food organizations and small grocers make necessary investments in tools to extend the shelf life of perishable foods.

The state Emergency Commission approved the funding from the coronavirus relief bill in August.

Ag Commissioner, Doug Goehring says, “The grants will help these organizations extend the shelf life of perishable foods in order to provide their clients with continued, uninterrupted access to foods such as fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy products.  By investing in tools such as refrigeration units, freezer units, coolers, vacuum packers and dehydrators, these organizations will be able to serve current clients with greater efficiency and help even more people.”

Department of Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones, adds, “North Dakota’s charitable feeding network partners and senior nutrition program providers deliver vital nutritious food to thousands of vulnerable individuals, and these grants help support that mission and prevent hunger during this challenging time.”

Charitable food organizations include any organization that provides food and/or services, including local food pantries, soup kitchens, senior citizen centers, food distribution centers and hubs, churches, donation centers and more. Small grocers include any North Dakota grocer located in a community of 750 or less.

Some area organizations that will receive funding include:

Ruebs Inc/Ashley Super Valu, Ashley – $12,164
Carrington’s Daily Bread, Carrington – $470
Dickey County Senior Citizens – Ellendale Senior Center, Ellendale – $3,100
Tracy’s Market – Fessenden, Fessenden – $115,000
The Forbes Store/ Olson’s Mercantile, LLC, Forbes – $10,000
Central Dakota Food Pantry, Harvey – $2,500
James River Senior Center and Public Transit, Jamestown – $30,000
Kramlich-Deede Meats, Medina – $144,275
Del’s Super Market Inc, Napoleon – $58,482.96
T & V Grocery, Pettibone – $16,000
Kidder Emmons Senior Services, Steele – $900
Kidder Emmons Senior Services, Steele – $4,000
South Central Adult Services Inc., Valley City – $20,500
Wimbledon Community Grocery (WCG), Wimbledon – $27,850