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Food assistance

North Dakota Governor Allocates $1.5 Million for Food Assistance Programs Amid Federal Government Shutdown

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong announced $1.5 million in state funding for food assistance programs, including $915,000 to the Great Plains Food Bank and $550,000 to $600,000 for the Women, Infants and Children program, as the federal government shutdown threatens programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The funding will allow the Great Plains Food Bank to source and distribute extra food for its nearly 200 partner food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across North Dakota. The state funding does not replace SNAP benefits, which are expected to lapse in November if the federal government does not reopen by November 1.

Key Takeaways:

  • The state of North Dakota is allocating $1.5 million in funding for food assistance programs, including $915,000 to the Great Plains Food Bank and $550,000 to $600,000 for the Women, Infants and Children program.
  • The Great Plains Food Bank will use the funding to purchase and distribute more than 450,000 pounds of food to help 24,000 households.
  • The funding will also enable the creation of additional mobile food pantry routes and pop-up food pantries throughout November.
  • The Women, Infants and Children program will receive $550,000 to $600,000 to ensure it is funded through the rest of November.
  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are expected to lapse in November if the federal government does not reopen by November 1.
  • Over 57,000 North Dakotans receive SNAP benefits, totaling around $9.9 million in benefits distributed.
  • The Great Plains Food Bank already distributes around one million pounds of food each month and has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to source and distribute an extra million pounds of food.
  • Money has already been used for multiple truckloads of shelf-stable food, including fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
  • North Dakotans with questions about nutrition programs like SNAP or WIC can call Health and Human Services at 701-328-1000.

Statistics:

  • $1.5 million in state funding allocated for food assistance programs.
  • $915,000 allocated to the Great Plains Food Bank.
  • $550,000 to $600,000 allocated to the Women, Infants and Children program.
  • Over 57,000 North Dakotans receive SNAP benefits.
  • SNAP benefits total around $9.9 million in benefits distributed.
  • 450,000 pounds of food to be distributed by the Great Plains Food Bank.
  • 24,000 households to be helped by the Great Plains Food Bank.
  • 1 million pounds of food distributed by the Great Plains Food Bank each month.
  • 1 million pounds of food to be sourced and distributed by the Great Plains Food Bank through an emergency fundraising campaign.

Sources:

  • "North Dakota Governor Allocates $1.5 Million for Food Assistance Programs Amid Federal Government Shutdown" by Ingrid Harbo, The Grand Forks Herald, October 30, 2025.
  • USDA, "Notice: SNAP Benefits Will Not Be Issued on November 1" (Oct 27, 2025)
  • USDA, "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Factsheet"

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