The Great Plains Food Bank served 167,163 individuals in 2025, marking an 11% increase over the previous year and underscoring the growing need for food assistance across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. This means 1 in 5 adults in the region turned to the Great Plains Food Bank and its network for support during the year.
Children continue to be among those most impacted by hunger, with 39% of those served being under the age of 18, equating to 1 in 4 children who rely on food assistance. Seniors (age 60+) also represent a significant share of those being served, making up 15% of individuals served.
“This increase reflects our reality across our region that more families, children, and older adults are struggling to put food on the table,” said Ann Prifrel, CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank. “At the same time, it reinforces our responsibility to respond. We are committed to meeting this growing need while expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring everyone has access to the food they need to live and thrive.”
Great Plains Food Bank distributed a total of 14,805,371 pounds of food in 2025 through its partner network of food pantries, shelters, meal sites, and direct service programs. To meet the demand, the organization continued to scale programs and operations to get food in the hands of those who need it most:
- Great Plains Food Bank distributed 1,027,384 pounds of food through their Mobile Food Pantry program and pop-up pantry sites — a 28% increase from 2024. Mobile Food Pantries are designed to reach rural, underserved communities across the region, while pop-up pantries operate in more urban areas to supplement existing food access points.
- The organization’s truck drivers logged 217,775 miles transporting food across North Dakota and into Clay County, Minnesota ensuring consistent delivery to communities of all sizes.
- In its third year, the Kitchen Coalition program delivered over 64,500 meals, a 60% increase from 2024. This program partners with local restaurants and caterers to transform food bank ingredients into nutritious, ready-to-eat meals serving individuals who may not have the resources or ability to prepare food at home.
- The Retail Rescue and Agency Enabled Retail Rescue programs grew significantly, increasing 31% in the Fargo-Moorhead area, 38% in the Bismarck-Mandan region, and 5% statewide. This initiative recovers fresh produce, dairy, meat, and dry goods from retailers and grocery stores and redistributes the food items directly to local food pantries, shelters, and meal sites. This effort not only reduces food waste but redirects over 11 million pounds of food annually, that equals over 9 million meals, to neighbors facing hunger.
As demand continues to rise, the Great Plains Food Bank remains focused on innovative solutions, strong community partnerships, and responsive programming to ensure no one faces hunger alone.