BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — Instead of throwing away extra produce, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is encouraging people to donate their garden-grown fruits and vegetables to local organizations that are participating in their “Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project.”

Katie Johnke, the Nutrition Services Program coordinator for Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health (BBPH), says the project was created to address the growing issue of food insecurity in the state.

“The North Dakota Department of Agriculture launched the program as a way for people to share their garden produce and get them in the hands of people who might not have access,” explained Johnke.

They are asking gardeners and farmers to donate it to local drop-off sites managed by their statewide project partners, including the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, which joined this year as a new partner.

“We’re so excited as far as nourishing minds, and now bodies. Nothing’s better than having a garden and being able to share. It’s just been a great way to serve our community,” expressed Bea Kaiser, the administrative office manager of the library.

Since 2008, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture has been supporting the Local Foods Movement through various programs to encourage people to buy more foods grown and produced in the state.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture adds that people can still donate produce if they don’t have a garden by dropping off produce they purchase from a local farmers market.

To find out more, you can visit their website .

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