FARGO – The Great Plains Food Bank reported serving 167,163 individuals in 2025, marking an 11% increase over the previous year. One in five adults in the North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, 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 one in four children who rely on food assistance, Great Plans stated. Seniors aged 60 and older also represented a significant share of those being served, making up 15% of individuals.

“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, in a news release. “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 14.8 million 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 more than 1 million pounds of food through its Mobile Food Pantry program and pop-up pantry sites, a 28% increase from 2024. Mobile Food Pantries are designed to reach rural, underserved communities, 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.

In its third year, the Kitchen Coalition program delivered more than 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 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 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 more than 11 million pounds of food annually, which equates to more than nine million meals.

As demand continues to rise, the Great Plains Food Bank stated it remains focused on innovative solutions, strong community partnerships and responsive programming to ensure no one faces hunger alone.