As more Iowans face food insecurity, leaders look to partnerships for solutions

HIAWATHA — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ rejection of $29 million in federal funding to provide summer food assistance for low-income families poses challenges, but an Eastern Iowa food bank said it continues to work on public-private partnerships to ensure nutritious food is available.

Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Hawkeye Area Community Action Program’s Food Reservoir in Hiawatha Wednesday to discuss how the state is working to connect Iowa food banks with Iowa farmers and producers to help alleviate food insecurity.

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HACAP officials said the visit provided an opportunity to showcase their work and the impact of food insecurity, highlighting the need for partnerships like those provided under the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program.

Kim Guardado, director of the HACAP food bank, said the program extended the life of the Local Foods Purchase Assistance program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is in its third year and ending in the spring.

The Choose Iowa funding helps match their dollars with state funds to buy more local produce, milk and dairy products, supporting local economies and feeding people.

Despite the state assistance, Guardado said HACAP needs more healthy foods to meet the current demand.

“We still don't have enough food,” she said. “ … So every little bit makes a difference. It all adds up, but we still need more.”

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Heightened food insecurity in Iowa has put growing pressure and strain on food banks and pantries that continue to witness record-breaking numbers of Iowans seeking assistance.

“We’re serving a lot of first-timers coming to pantries, and that’s a hard reality we’re having to deal with,” said Angie Albright, HACAP Food Reservior assistant director.

HACAP partners with more than 300 food pantries, school pantries, meal programs and other nonprofits to serves families facing hunger in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties. It says 1 in 13 people in its seven-county service area are food insecure.

The nonprofit is part of Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks, food pantries and meal programs.

The state has allocated $225,000 to help six Iowa food banks, including HACAP, and Des Moines Area Religious Council purchase dairy products, meat and poultry, eggs, honey and produce from farmers and ag businesses that are Choose Iowa members. The food banks will match the state's investment on a one-to-one basis.

Naig, speaking with reporters, said the pilot program demonstrates how government, nonprofits and the private sector can partner to address community challenges like food insecurity while also building Iowa’s economy.

He said Choose Iowa has enabled HACAP to take its local food purchasing “to the next level,” supporting local producers who can now expect to deliver set quantities for which they can plan.

“That’s really helping them to then have certainty to maybe invest in expanding their operation or processing,” Naig said. “It’s doing on both sides what we had hoped it would, which is to create a signal for farms to have more certainty and maybe grow, but providing at the end of this safe, nutritious, fresh food to those in need.”

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Asked what else can be done to address the underlying issue leading to heightened food insecurity and hunger in Iowa, Hinson said many Iowans are finding it difficult to make ends meet due to inflation.

“I think it’s really, really crucial that we continue to help support the people who are providing this good, nutritious food in our communities,” she said. “That’s why I’m here today. It’s why the secretary is here today — to make sure we continue to spotlight all the good work that’s being done.”

Hinson urged Iowans to continue to support their local food banks.

Pantries struggle to meet increased demand

Guardado, director of HACAP Food Reservoir, said the meeting highlighted the importance of connecting with elected officials to educate them about its work — ensuring that every available resource is used effectively to provide food for those in need — and advocate for state and federal funding.

“What pantries are facing is that it’s costing so much just to keep the lights on and keep the coolers running and keep the heat going, that it gets in the way of being able to offer a large amount of food available,” Guardado said. “

Olivet Neighborhood Mission announced in July that it would be shutting its doors after Aug. 31. HACAP is in the process of purchasing Olivet Mission property and plans to turn it into a neighborhood resource center, which will include a food pantry.

Guardado said HACAP is waiting to close on the purchase. Once it takes possession, she said the nonprofit hopes to do a mobile pantry on site due to “huge need in the area,” and get a permanent pantry up and running as soon as possible.

Cedar Rapids food pantry Together We Achieve recently announced it will stay open after raising enough money to keep its doors open until January. The nonprofit had warned it would have to close unless it could raise $50,000 by the end of last week.

With need increasing among Iowans for fresh, affordable food, Guardado said programs like Summer EBT help get food into families' homes.

She said Gov. Reynolds’ rejection of the Summer EBT funding is seen as an opportunity to explore other ways to provide food assistance, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships.

HACAP also is urging Congress to prioritize protecting and strengthening food assistance programs in the upcoming farm bill.

The previous farm bill expired last year and was extended to the end of September. It's unclear when a compromise bill might emerge.

Guardado said HACAP hopes a new farm bill will pass “with the most opportunities for families” for get nutritious foods.

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