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Lawmakers hear broad support for rural grocery grants; program pitched as lifeline for small towns
Summary
Senate Bill 22‑28, which would reauthorize a rural grocery store sustainability and food access grant program, drew unanimous support from agricultural, economic development, and community representatives who said the pilot program helped keep grocery stores open and encouraged regional co‑op approaches to distribution.
The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee heard extensive testimony in favor of Senate Bill 22‑28, a proposal to fund a rural grocery store sustainability and food access expansion grant program under the Department of Commerce.
Why it matters: Witnesses said rural grocery stores provide food access to elderly and transportation‑limited residents, anchor local economies, and support community continuity. Peril Grossman, legislative director for the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, told the committee “rural grocery stores are the backbone of small communities” and said closures force residents to travel long distances for basic groceries.
Program background and benefits: Supporters described the bill as a…
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