BISMARCK — A regional initiative is aiming to make groceries more accessible for those who live in rural North Dakota.

The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives is testing a grocery and local food hub for north-central North Dakota.

The hub would help distribute food products to rural grocery stores, helping them save money and allowing them to sell for lower prices.

The project is being funded by a $12.6 million grant from the Bush Foundation.

Project organizers say the money will go a long way to help food insecurity.

"This grant funding will support research, business planning and project coordination, along with the cost to actually establish a food hub facility and for the purchase of trucks and equipment," said Ellen Huber, rural development director for NDAREC

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