Clay County Commission

Dan Haglund

Bringing all corners of the Moorhead and Dilworth communities together for a meal, conversations and ideas is what Nicole Flick and Jody Jordet set out to do each year as organizers of The Longest Table.
The women gave a presentation and video overview for the Clay County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday in Moorhead, as well as an open invitation for this summer’s planned event on June 27 at Minnesota Community and Technical College (M State).
The Longest Table’s mission is to “provide a safe space where community members come together and share a meal at one large table. We discuss our community, things we love, things we want to improve, and ways we can connect with others in the future. The ideas are collected and formulated into a version we can share with city and county representatives in hope of inspiring cohesiveness between all represented groups.”
The inaugural event in 2019 brought hundreds of folks from all walks of life together along a lengthy line of tables outside the Dilworth Lions Club. The attendees introduced themselves and spoke about what mattered most to them about their community, and what they would like to see improve.
Jordet, the Clay County Early Childhood Initiative coordinator, says they not only bring the community together but encourage people to write their thoughts and questions on the paper tablecloths under the food. There are questions already on the paper, and attendees can write their responses as well.
“We take those tablecloth answers and combine them into what you (board) have in front of you today in a PowerPoint,” Jordet said.
Flick, a childcare center owner, is one of several key people who make The Longest Table happen. Others include: Marianne Smith, a CAPLP and professional development advisor; Heather Nesemeier, Moorhead City Council member; and Sarah Dixon-Hackey, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion liaison for Clay County.
Jordet said after the 2023 Longest Table, there were two main issues that rose above the rest as the most important needs within the area: affordable housing and access to affordable childcare.
“People struggle to find affordable housing and also maintain it,” Jordet said. “Being able to find childcare spots and being able to afford the care once they have it are the two biggest things that we heard.”
Jordet listed four secondary issues which were brought up as well.
First, incentives for small businesses. In particular, residents would like to see more restaurants and retail coming into town, not leaving.
Second, transportation access. Accessibility and Sunday availability were at the top of minds on this issue.
Third, green space/parks/community centers. People want to see more safe parks with more community involvement or public gardens. Also, an indoor community center where children and families can be active indoors during winter months. More sidewalks and bike paths are also desired.
Of course, a massive community center and library are in the works for the area of the current Moorhead Center Mall. So this need has already been addressed, it will just take some time to complete.
And fourth, working street lights and more recycling. Several people were concerned that their street lights do not work in their neighborhoods. They would also like to see compost, glass and yard recycling bins in greater numbers. They would like apartment recycling and more commercial recycling, as well as education about this issue within the community.
The Longest Table organizers put out a request to the board for any or all of the following as well: Participation in and representation at the June 27 event; promotion of the event; connections in both Dilworth and Moorhead; any available grant dollars to help promote the event; and participation in the implementation of rectifying the improvement suggestions from the event.
Childcare is being provided for attendees as well.