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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is asking gardeners across the state to plant an extra row of fruits and vegetables this year to help meet the needs of hungry people across the state.

Goehring said. “We are asking individuals and groups to join in the 2014 Hunger Free ND Garden Project to grow and distribute at least a million servings of fresh produce to North Dakota food pantries, shelters and charitable feeding organizations.”

During a news conference in Fargo Steve Sellent, program director of the Great Plains Food Bank, and Esther McGinnis, director of North Dakota State University’s Master Gardener Program said. “The Hunger Free North Dakota Garden project has not only significantly increased the amount of food we have been able to provide for those in our state struggling with hunger, but it has also played a key role in our efforts to provide more fresh and healthy food.”

Sellent added. “We regularly hear how much having access to these fruits and vegetables is appreciated by the more than 80,000 children, families and seniors who look to us for nutrition assistance.”

McGinnis said, “Master Gardeners are committed to using their horticultural skills to benefit communities across North Dakota and are proud to partner with the Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project to combat food insecurity.”

Last year, the Hunger Free ND Garden Project, gardeners grew and delivered more than 181,000 pounds of fresh produce to food distribution agencies.

Information about the Hunger Free ND Garden Project, including drop-off points for garden-grown produce will be available on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website, www.nd.gov/ndda.