ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

FOOD PANTRIES ACCEPTING GARDEN DONATIONS

BISMARCK – North Dakota food pantries are eager to accept contributions of fresh produce from both home gardeners and farmers market vendors.

“If you have fresh potatoes, corn, carrots, cucumbers, apples or other vegetables and fruits that you cannot use or sell, please consider donating them to your food pantry,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “The pantries will distribute this food, free of charge, to needy people.”

Goehring said several food pantries have contacted the Department of Agriculture about garden contributions.

“One of the food panties told us that people come running when fresh produce is available,” he said. “Almost every kind of produce is welcome, but since there has been the usual bumper crop of zucchini, it seems to be unwanted at some places.”

Food pantries cannot accept home-canned fruits and vegetables.

Goehring said people who donate food to charity are protected from liability under state law (NDCC 19-05.1). More information about food contributions to food pantries is available from the North Dakota Health Department’s division of food and lodging at (701) 328-1291.

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MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.