Submitted Photo North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne, with Great Plains Food Bank philanthropy officer Marcia Paulson, at left, and Harvesting Hope Campaign honorary co-chair Michelle Watne, at right, hold a symbolic check from NDFU to Great Plains, as members of the NDFU State Board of Directors join them.

JAMESTOWN – North Dakota Farmers Union has donated $500,000 to the Great Plains Food Bank. The contribution is dedicated to the relief agency’s Harvesting Hope Campaign, which is focused on building a new statewide distribution center to expand food access across the state.

“We are fortunate to be able to make this donation, which comes from the strength of our grassroots organization and our members – the hundreds of family farmers and ranchers who put food on our tables every day,” said NDFU President Mark Watne in a news release.

Farmers Union is a longtime partner of Great Plains Food Bank, donating 35,000 pounds of pork in September.