Articles Tagged: Food banks

The federal government shutdown hasn’t affected food aid yet, but Iowa’s contingency funding for WIC could run out if the standoff in Washington drags on.

Food banks in Iowa will get $200,000 in new funding this year to address food insecurity by buying fresh food — such as dairy products, meat, poultry, eggs, grains, honey and produce — from local producers.

What are grocery stores doing to divert food from landfills? And what happens to the food that doesn’t get sold?

Reductions in spending and tightened eligibility requirements on social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance being considered by Republicans in Congress will significantly reduce access to health care and food assistance, impacting thousand of low-income individuals and families across Linn County.

While cuts to federal funding for food assistance have not been as severe as some feared, they have combined with two other factors already posing challenges to local food pantries: a growing demand for more help, but inflation cutting into the supply.

The Hawkeye Area Community Action Program has been working with local producers -- like Dan and Debbie’s Creamery in Ely -- to supply the food bank using funds from Choose Iowa, a state program, and LFPA, a federal program.

Food pantries and food-based nonprofits are being overwhelmed with increasing need, and many have been unable to keep up. Community food providers are worried that without better collaborative efforts between pantries, and increased support from local government, food is going to become increasingly difficult to access in Linn County.

The pantry has received $278,000 from the city of North Liberty

The state would pay half of the nearly $3.9M administrative costs under Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal to the USDA.

Iowa would use federal funding to expand the state’s newly created summer food assistance program for low-income families under a proposal from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration.

Food insecurity in Iowa has put growing pressure and strain on food banks and pantries across the state.

Also, Gov. Reynolds’ latest proclamation designed to help Sioux County schools recovering from flooding

Consistently heightened food insecurity in Iowa has put growing pressure and strain on food banks and pantries across the state.

A recent report found food insecurity is on the rise in Iowa as COVID-19 pandemic nutritional benefits have sunset. HACAP Food Reservoir Director Kim Guardado discusses the findings and what Iowans can do to improve food access.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Marion schools are among 38 grant recipients under the $900K program, created by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds after she rejected $29 million in federal funding.