BISMARCK, N.D. (Wimbledon Newsletter) – The Rural Grocery Initiative task force is studying the financial feasibility of collaborative purchasing, aggregation, and public-private partnerships to make the best use of existing infrastructure to improve the access, affordability, and variety of food in rural locations in the state.
It is imperative the state examines the law regarding the regulation, inspection, and health requirements that restrict some foods to limited distribution channels; The task force is asking the Legislative Management to consider studying the distribution and transportation of food in the state necessary to the lives of individuals in rural communities, and the roles of state entities in facilitating the movement of food to rural areas of the state.
Linda Grotberg, Volunteer Manager and Board President of the Wimbledon Community Grocery & Café, testified before the North Dakota Senate Agriculture Committee on February 14th. She is also a member of the North Dakota Rural Grocery Initiative Task Force. Grotberg testified in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4013 The following is an excerpt from Linda Grotberg’s testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee:

“High Operating costs, narrow profit margins, affordable satisfactory labor, and trouble finding wholesalers willing to service small remote stores are sited in the ND Rural Grocers 2015 survey as some of the major issues facing small groceries and causing a rising number of closures. Last year Frito-Lay stopped delivering to our store, requiring us to order online, but online ordering has no benefits of sales and promotions. Coke and Pepsi still deliver to the Store, but at a cost to us of more than Walmart sells the product at retail. Mason Brothers Wholesale Grocery, Wadena, MN, delivers a full line of grocery, fresh, and frozen foods to our door. But often times we have to order in larger lots than we can sell before it goes out of date.“

The resolution passed the Senate and will now be considered by the House.
Photo: Emmery Grotberg Mehlhoff