Three regional businesses have received the Rural Grocery Store Sustainability Grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce, boosting local food access and collaboration across rural communities. This grant program is designed to support the sustainability of rural grocery stores, expand food co-ops, and enhance access to healthy, quality foods. $1 million dollars was appropriated by the 2025 Legislature.
Sen. Janne Myrdal, who sponsored SB 2228 which created this program, states, “It is fulfilling as a legislator when government can put grants on the ground and assist in this way. We need to grow this program so there are no longer any rural food deserts in our state. We must make sure fresh groceries are available at all times.”
The objectives of the grant were as follows:
- Strengthen local and regional food systems by improving the efficient movement of healthy foods within rural areas.
- Improve the quality and safety of grocery supplies.
- Encourage partnerships among local organizations, businesses, and government entities.
- Support innovative strategies to address unique rural food supply challenges.
- Foster community development and revitalization projects.
- Promote collaborations between grocery suppliers and entities such as restaurants and schools, creating broad economic benefits for the region.
The grant provides funding for projects that demonstrate sustainability and have clear plans for financial viability. By investing in these projects, the grant helps address food insecurity, encourages economic growth, and builds stronger, healthier rural communities.
Among the 47 applications totaling $4.8 million, nine applicants were from Region 4 in Northeast North Dakota. Of those nine, three of those received grant awards totaling $244,622:
- Farmers Union Oil of Lakota
- D & K Grocery in Pembina
- Hoople Grocery in Hoople
