The Black Hills Farmers Market Food Distribution program is coming to an end this month. The program has provided free, locally-produced food to South Dakotans in need for over a year and a half. In Butte County, two final distributions will be held this month. The first will be Monday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Meals on Wheels in Belle Fourche, located at 1400 Mills Street; and the second will be Tuesday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. in Nisland at the City Hall. There is no income requirement for patrons; anyone who wants food can go to the sites.
The program’s end follows the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) cutting of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), which had provided funding for state, tribal and territorial governments to buy food produced within the state to help support local, regional and underserved producers as well as serve feeding programs, food banks and organizations that reach underserved communities.
“It was a 20 month grant, and we are just out of funds,” explained Amber Herder, President of the Black Hills Farmers Market board. “And then the USDA did not extend it. We were hoping that they were going to, they had plans, and then it fell through. Our funds run out in April, and so April will be the last distribution.”
Herder expressed disappointment regarding the situation. “It’s really unfortunate,” she said. “Our producers that have been supplying all of the products that we’ve been giving away have been amazing, and it’s a great opportunity for them, as well as the people in all the drop-off sites to get that food that they’ve been receiving has been amazing. So, I’m sad that it’s ending.”
The final food distribution events will provide as many goods for consumers as possible, including meat, honey, and salsa. Herder said that some sites will also have eggs and cheese.
The St. Paul Knights of Columbus in Belle Fourche and volunteers from the Town of Nisland have helped make the distribution events possible.
“We’re blessed to be able to be a part of this whole program, and we are definitely sad to see it come to an end,” said Herder.
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