This nonproft has people talking about 'Food of the North'

Food in the Fargo-Moorhead area is evolving, and one local nonprofit is keeping the pulse.

Since 2015, Food of the North has curated conversations about sustainability and important food topics in the community. One of the founders, Megan Myrdal, said it started with a conversation around the concept of “ugly foods” — good produce that stores don’t sell because it looks unusual — and grew into something larger.

“It brought people into a conversation, one, about food waste, but two, just thinking more about food and sustainability and health,” she said.

After an initial event around “ugly foods” at the farmers market, Food of the North continued the conversation with a monthly event called First Fridays at B’s. Community members can come and learn about what’s happening with food and food vendors in the area.

“It's really a place where we ask people in our community, ‘What do you want to learn about? Who do you want to hear from? What do you want to talk more on?’” Myrdal said.

Along with First Friday events, Little Free Gardens is another initiative Food of the North took on that allows people to share food they’ve grown with the community.

“The idea behind it is that the garden owners plant, tend and care for the garden, but the food can be harvested by anyone who wants it or needs it,” Myrdal said.

She spoke with MPR News host Tom Crann while he was in Fargo-Moorhead Tuesday. Click on the audio above to hear more.

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