Great Plains Food Bank Receives $20 Million Boost for New Distribution Center

Funding for Food Security in North Dakota

In a significant move to combat food insecurity in North Dakota, Rural Development Partners LLC has awarded a substantial $20 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to the Great Plains Food Bank. This funding will expedite the construction of a new state-of-the-art distribution center in Fargo, North Dakota, allowing the food bank to enhance its operations and meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Food insecurity has surged in recent years, with the Great Plains Food Bank reporting alarming levels that have surpassed even the peaks seen during the pandemic. To address this critical issue, they are building a 70,500 square foot facility designed to dramatically improve their capacity for food distribution. With expanded freezer and cooler capacity, additional loading docks for logistics efficiency, and facilities to host up to 100 volunteers, the new center will empower the food bank to distribute double the amount of food compared to its previous setup.

“Rural Development Partners is proud to support this impactful organization. The Great Plains Food Bank plays a vital role in our community, and this new facility will significantly enhance their ability to fight food insecurity and serve more individuals in need,” says Dan Helgeson, CEO of Rural Development Partners.

The partnership does not end with the initial allocation; additional financial backing is expected through the NMTC program, with approximately $4.5 million anticipated to be received by the food bank following the successful completion and repayment of the financing arrangement. These funds will provide further investment into the project and help the organization better serve families and individuals grappling with hunger.

With the speed at which construction is progressing, the Great Plains Food Bank aims to start operating from the new facility by fall 2027. “This new distribution center is a beacon of hope for many in our region during these difficult times,” comments Ann Prifrel, CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank. “We are incredibly grateful to Rural Development Partners and our NMTC partners for helping us advance this much-needed project. As food insecurity continues to challenge families in our communities, this facility will be instrumental in expanding access to nutritious food for those in need.”

As North Dakota's only food bank, the Great Plains Food Bank is critical in addressing hunger through its extensive partner network, which includes 205 food pantries, shelters, meal sites, and other charitable feeding programs across 104 communities within North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. Since its establishment in 1983, the organization has distributed over 256 million meals, a testament to its commitment to alleviating hunger in the communities it serves.

Rural Development Partners (RDP) has a strong track record in supporting community development initiatives, having secured $906.7 million in NMTC allocations since its inception. RDP is dedicated to building public-private partnerships that catalyze job growth and provide access to healthy food in underserved areas of rural America. With the ongoing partnership with the Great Plains Food Bank, they continue to exemplify their mission of creating lasting impacts in food-insecure regions.

For anyone wishing to learn more about the efforts of the Great Plains Food Bank and how more community members can get involved, visit their website or follow their social media platforms for updates on the new distribution center. Together, these partnerships aim to turn the tide against food insecurity in North Dakota, ensuring that no individual goes hungry.