Today, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and Fareway Stores delivered nearly 24,000 pounds of ground pork and turkey to the Food Bank of Iowa as part of the 5th annual Meat the Need partnership, which brought a truckload of protein to each of Iowa’s six Feeding America food banks. The donation to the Food Bank of Iowa alone is equivalent to 100,000 servings for food-insecure Iowans. Food Bank of Iowa President and CEO Tami Nielsen said this donation is incredibly meaningful, especially since meat is one of the most expensive items at the grocery store right now.
Nielsen said ground meat in particular is versatile and easy to prepare, which makes it highly valuable as we head into the holiday season.
Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said Iowa’s meat industry sometimes goes a little under the radar, but our state’s livestock producers create high-quality products that are massively beneficial for food-insecure families.
Johnson also highlighted the productive partnership the IFBF has with Fareway and how they have worked together to combat food insecurity.
This partnership is also a celebration of Iowa’s producers and their ability to provide food to anyone who needs it. Elias Johnson, vice president of corporate outreach and communications at Fareway, said each of Iowa’s 99 counties will be receiving Fareway meat products that are 100% sourced from Midwest producers.
Johnson said Fareway and the IFBF have the same goals to support Iowa producers and consumers, which makes the Meat the Need partnership very natural.
For more information on food insecurity in the state, visit foodbankiowa.org.
