GLENDIVE, Mont. — Montanans who grow, process, sell and serve food are being invited to help shape a new statewide initiative aimed at increasing the amount of locally produced food consumed in Montana.
Robin Kelson, executive director of Abundant Montana, says the effort is called “33 by 33 for Montana.” The goal is to have 33% of the food consumed in the state produced locally by 2033.
“Currently, we import about 97% of our food,” Kelson said. “Back in 1950, we produced about 70% of our own food supply. We know we can get back to 33%, and that would make us more sustainable as a state while improving reliable access to healthy food for every Montanan.”
To build momentum behind the initiative, Abundant Montana is organizing a series of regional meetings across the state this year designed to gather input from people involved in Montana’s food system.
Those discussions will include producers, processors, distributors, retailers and institutional buyers such as schools, hospitals and senior care facilities.
This week, meetings were held in Bozeman, Glendive, Billings and Wolf Point.
Upcoming locations include:
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Kalispell — March 16
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Missoula — March 23
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Helena — March 24
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Great Falls — March 25
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Lewistown — March 26
Kelson said the listening sessions are meant to identify barriers and opportunities across the state.
“We want to find out what the gaps are, what’s working where people live, and what needs to change if we’re going to reach 33 by 33,” Kelson said.
Input from the meetings will help shape the agenda for the Governor’s Summit on Food and Agriculture, scheduled for Oct. 23–24, 2026. At that summit, organizers hope to develop a statewide roadmap outlining steps needed to expand Montana’s local food economy.
Kelson said the goal of the summit is to design a plan that stakeholders across the food system can follow to help reach the 33 by 33 target.
Kelson encourages “anyone who cares about what’s on the plate and wants more Montana food available in their community” to learn more.
Information about the initiative and upcoming regional meetings can be found online at growmt.org, where participants can also sign up for listening sessions taking place around the state.
By Courtney Kibblewhite
