NCBA - National Cooperative Business Association
05/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/27/2026 05:27
North Dakota statewide food project shows concern for community
Velva Fresh Foods is one of nine grocery stores involved in the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives' effort to support food access in North Dakota. [photo courtesy NDAREC]Food deserts are a major challenge in rural America, leaving many communities without easy access to affordable, nutritious food.
The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives is forging an ambitious solution to this problem. With help from a large new grant, the statewide's rural development center is launching a regional grocery and food hub to tackle hunger in north central North Dakota.
North Dakota has fewer than 90 small-town grocery stores, down from 137 in 2014, according to the association. These closures have led to a rise in food deserts, with some families driving 100+ miles for groceries.
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The program aims to reduce wholesale costs through cooperative purchasing power and expand access to local foods, another example of how electric co-ops can improve the quality of life for the people they serve.
Learn more about the project in the May episode of Along Those Lines, NRECA's podcast focusing on the issues that matter most to rural America and the energy industry.
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