President Donald Trump’s administration over the weekend demanded that states “undo” full benefits that were paid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during a one-day window between when a federal judge ordered full funding and a Supreme Court justice put a temporary pause on that order.
Iowa anti-hunger advocates said rulings by two federal judges that order the Trump administration to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program using contingency funds during the government shutdown offer some hope, but not immediate relief to the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on the federal food aid program.
Soft drinks, candy, gum and many other foods — most of which are generally deemed to be unhealthy — will be ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits starting Jan. 1.
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.
A group of Johnson County agencies is coming together to host a Healthy Kids Iowa food distribution event Wednesday, July 30 from 2 to 6 p.m. in Iowa City. Eligible families can receive $40 worth of groceries for each child age 4-18.
Pig farmer Jess D’Souza had hoped to finally turn a profit this year, aided by a federal program to bolster local food systems. The Trump administration canceled the initiative, upending her plans.
“Healthy Kids Iowa” -- a new program announced Wednesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds -- will provide qualifying families with $40 worth of food per child per month in June, July and August. It replaces a summer food program that Reynolds opted out of. It would have provided $29 million in federal food assistance funding for an estimated 240,000 children in the state.
The Linn County Food Symposium was launched after the COVID pandemic, in response to questions about local food options. Those questions have started popping up again as the federal government announces tariffs that could increase the cost of food produced outside the United States.
Iowa anti-hunger advocates called on state leaders to participate in a summer federal food benefits program and raise income-eligibility requirements to fight hunger in Iowa.
The USDA said Iowa failed to provide “compelling evidence of the potential benefits of an untested alternative model.” Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa will reapply for a waiver under the new Trump administration.
Also, Iowa airports call on U.S. senators to oppose bill that could impact travel rewards
Mashal Husain, chief operating officer of The World Food Prize Foundation, will become president, replacing Terry Branstad, the former U.S. ambassador to China and Iowa governor, who will retire, the organization announced in a news release.
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.
Iowa has yet to implement large portions of a 2023 law that established new requirements and regular checks for Iowans receiving public assistance benefits to determine their eligibility.
Food insecurity in Iowa has put growing pressure and strain on food banks and pantries across the state.
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