Food pantries across Grand Forks region report an uptick in people needing assistance

GRAND FORKS — Numerous agencies and organizations are working to address food insecurity in the region. The issue has risen to the forefront as more individuals and families struggle with weighing the need for food against the cost of paying other daily-living expenses — sometimes putting their own wellbeing at risk.

In the health care sector, providers have adopted a practice of routinely screening patients for food insecurity as part of annual check-up and other clinic visits. The screening includes questions that gauge how worried people have been, in the last 12 months, about not having enough money to purchase food.

Patients who screen positive for food insecurity at Greater Grand Forks Sanford Health clinics are offered a food box, provided by the Great Plains Food Bank — or two bo