What They’re Thinking: What Iowans can do to address rising food insecurity

The number of Iowans and Iowa households experiencing uncertain or limited access to adequate food has been climbing to record levels in recent years, according to advocates for food security.

Recently, a statewide network of those advocates issued a warning and a call to action. Among them was Mandi Remington, director of the Corridor Community Action Network in Iowa City.

The Gazette spoke with Remington about Iowa food insecurity, the breadth of the issue and what she believes can help put more food on more Iowans’ tables. Remington also is a Democratic candidate for Johnson County supervisor.

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The following interview has been edited only for clarity and brevity.

Q: Advocates working to address food insecurity in Iowa are saying the need is greater than it has ever been. Can you quantify that in some way? What are you seeing?

A: The number of Iowans visiting food banks has been steadily increasing across the state since 2022. Currently 36 percent of working families in our state do not make enough money to cover basic needs per Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa CEO. Locally, CommUnity Crisis Services and (its) food bank is distributing 30 percent more food than they were in 2021. … Personally, as an only parent of three, two of whom have special dietary needs, I am feeling the rising cost of food prices as it gets more and more difficult to keep fresh produce and milk in the house through the end of the month.

Q: What factors are driving the increased level of food insecurity in Iowa?

A: The increased level of food insecurity in Iowa is driven by a combination of economic factors and policy decisions. Rising prices of food and other essentials, coupled with stagnant wages, have put significant financial strain on working families across the state. The recent tightening of eligibility requirements for SNAP (the federally funded, state-operated food assistance program for low-income Americans) and the end of pandemic-era benefits left many without needed assistance.

Furthermore, the governor’s refusal of federal funding for summer EBT will exacerbate the issue when the school year ends. That funding could have provided vital support to children and families struggling to access nutritious meals during the summer months when school meal programs are not available. Ultimately, this crisis reflects a failure of leadership. Instead of prioritizing Iowans' well-being and ensuring that every family has access to affordable and nutritious food, elected officials chose to spend the legislative session focused on limiting freedoms and attacking vulnerable populations.

(Note: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds declined to keep Iowa in a federally funded program that provides meals during the summer months to students who during the school year receive free or reduced-price meals. Reynolds argued the program was not sustainable and instead created a new state grant program for summer food assistance with far fewer resources than the federal program.)

Q: What can local, state and/or federal policymakers do to help address the issue?

A: Local, state and federal policymakers have crucial roles in addressing food insecurity. Locally, we must acknowledge the limitations of food banks and work to fund and expand initiatives such as community gardens and summer meal sites, ensuring they are accessible to those with mobility challenges and limited transportation. State policymakers must pass Senate File 2039 or similar legislation to secure Iowa’s participation in summer EBT in 2025 and beyond, while county supervisors should collaborate closely with food policy and systems councils to fund and implement effective strategies. … Collaboration between all levels of government, along with community organizations and stakeholders, is essential.

Q: What can Iowans do to help address the issue?

A: Iowans can take several steps to advocate for policy change and address food insecurity within our communities. One crucial way is to stay informed about local, state and federal policies related to food security and actively advocate for measures that prioritize access to nutritious food for all. I highly recommend following the Iowa Hunger Coalition on social media and signing up for their mailing lists, as they play a vital role in keeping individuals informed about opportunities for advocacy and action. Additionally, supporting local food initiatives and getting involved in community efforts, such as volunteering with food banks and other organizations working to address food insecurity, can complement advocacy efforts and contribute to meaningful change.

Q: How and why did you become interested in working on food insecurity?

A: I became interested in addressing food security due to my own experiences struggling to make ends meet as an only parent. While I relied on food assistance for many years, I now live in the “wage gap,” earning too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to consistently keep fresh fruit in the house through the end of the month. This is despite being a full-time employee of the University of Iowa, where I have worked for nearly 18 years. This struggle is compounded by the fact that two of my children have celiac disease, which means some basic items like bread come with a higher price tag.

My firsthand experience with food insecurity motivated me to take action within my community. As the founding director of the Corridor Community Action Network, I spearheaded a community garden project during the height of the pandemic. Through this project, we provided weekly produce bags to our garden volunteers as well as the Iowa City Catholic Worker House, Iowa City Mutual Aid Collective and Table to Table, who distributed fresh food to those in need.

My commitment to social justice and community well-being continues to drive my advocacy work. I am an active member of the Iowa Hunger Coalition and the Iowa Healthy School Meals for All Coalition, through which I advocate for policies and initiatives that ensure access to nutritious food for all Iowans.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com