On Tuesday, March 19th, the first day of spring and National Ag Day, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) donated 4,200 pounds of ground pork to the Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines. This donation was made in conjunction with the “Sack Hunger” partnership with the Iowa State University Cyclones football team.
IPPA, Farm Credit Services of America, and the Iowa Egg Council partnered with the Cyclones during the 2023 football season, and each time the defense sacked the opponent’s quarterback, the respective ag groups committed to make donations of $1,000, 200 pounds of pork, and 200 dozen eggs. Since the Cyclones registered 21 sacks over the past season, that led to a total of $21,000, 4,200 pounds of pork, and 4,200 dozen eggs.
In a time where the need for nutritious meat products is unprecedented, Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book said donations like this are more important than ever.
These partnerships with Iowa’s commodity groups and many others are helping the Food Bank of Iowa to move over 2 million pounds of food every month to food-insecure Iowans.
IPPA President Matt Gent said pork producers are always looking to do whatever they can to fight hunger.
Gent said these donations aren’t just made on the state level, though- the county organizations make plenty of donations as well.
Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig was also in attendance to highlight the donation and National Ag Day. He pointed out that, even in a time of heavy financial hardship, the pork industry is still making the time and effort to give back to communities.
For more information on this donation, visit iowapork.org.
