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.
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.