MOORHEAD – A Moorhead food shelf is no longer receiving its products from the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo.
A Place For Hope Executive Director Darrell Vasvick says the state changed where his organization gets food through Minnesota’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is administered through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. TEFAP distributes USDA foods to individuals and families who use food shelves like the one at A Place For Hope.
The change took place October 1, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Office of Economic Opportunity. The primary food bank is now North Country Food Bank in East Grand Forks.
“TEFAP contracts are intended to ensure critical food, financial resources, and support reaches all 87 counties in Minnesota,” the DCYF said. “This change in TEFAP service for Clay County more equitably and effectively aligns Minnesota TEFAP resources within Minnesota.”
The DCYF says TEFAP partners in Clay County will still be able to work with the Great Plains Food Bank, along with North Country Food Bank.
“They can continue to partner with Great Plains Food Bank to obtain purchased, donated, and food rescue products, while also partnering with North Country Food Bank for TEFAP and other Minnesota grant food products, as well as overall program support,” the DCYF said.
State officials say sites have been receptive to the change ‘and have shared positive feedback.’
