On Thursday, the ?Beef Up Iowa? program was launched to connect Iowa beef producers with foodbanks that feed those in need. The program is in partnership between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University, and Iowa beef producers. It is part of Governor Kim Reynolds? Feeding Iowans Task Force.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig tells us about the ?Beef Up Iowa? program. It is going to be like the ?Pass the Pork? program in which pork producers are providing hogs that can be processed and donated to Iowa food banks.
Processing is the trick. Many local processors are overwhelmed with the surge of work that they are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is where the partnership with Iowa State comes in. Their meats lab and students will be handling the processing of the beef.
Much of the beef, at first, will be coming from 4-H and FFA cattle that have been raised for projects and ultimately would have been sold at auction.
The state of Iowa has provided initial funds to get the program going, but more matching dollar donations are needed to keep it running beyond the summer.
To donate funds to help support this program, visit the Iowa Cattlemen?s Foundation at donorbox.org/beefupiowa.
