Great Plains Food Bank helps connect walk-in fridge donor with local food hub initiative

FARGO — The Great Plains Food Bank is thanking a local machinery company for the donation of a walk-in freezer worth around seventy-five-thousand dollars.

The freezer was originally located in the new factory for Fairchild Equipment, but it has been repurposed and will go to support a regional grocery and local food hub initiative led by the North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives Foundation.

The food bank says that it will serve as a critical component of the hub, which is designed to help small-town grocery stores stay open.

Great Plains Communication and Marketing Manager Darby Njos says they were happy to help connect the two organizations to help keep the state fed.

“We’re really just grateful for Fairchild equipment’s commitment to giving back to their community and that we were able to be that connecting piece to keep this local,” Njos said. “By giving this to the association, they are able to continue to work to lessen food deserts across our state, which will ultimately benefit us all.”

The food bank says the freezer will be put into service once the regional food hub facility becomes operational.