B&B 'food train' gets county boost

The Carlton County board of commissioners recently approved and presented a $4,000 grant from CARES Act funds to go to the B&B Market food train, which has been chugging along since late last March. During that time, individuals and businesses from all over Carlton County and even further away have donated money, products, anything to help out folks who are struggling during the pandemic, and B&B owners John and Kim Lind have used the donations to give away free food for anyone in need during the pandemic.

The food train has morphed over time. B&B partnered with the United Way of Carlton County and, more recently, the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, which has been bringing truckloads of refrigerated food boxes to the store to give away each week.

Every Thursday afternoon, B&B staff unload the truck and help distribute the boxes — containing produce, dairy, meat and milk — and the local grocery story and meat market owners contribute additional items. One week it might be a box of granola bars, another week something else. Once the truck gets here, John Lind hops onto Facebook Live and does a video, letting people know what’s available and how to get it. They usually begin distribution around 1 p.m. and continue until everything is gone.

The Food Train has raised more than $132,000 so far, but donations have slowed significantly.