Cedar Rapids school district creating Johnson STEAM Academy meal site after Hy-Vee closure

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Community School District is launching a meal site at Johnson STEAM Academy to expand food access for households affected by the recent closure of the First Avenue Hy-Vee in a rare collaboration with area state and local government officials.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors on Monday allocated $10,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars toward the meal program at Johnson, 355 18th St. SE. After the First Avenue NE Hy-Vee closed June 30, the program is intended to fill need, especially in the Mound View and Wellington Heights neighborhoods.

The West Des Moines-based grocer’s departure left no grocery store in the area within a mile and a half, creating a food desert.

The meal site is anticipated to start this week, but more operational details are forthcoming.

“As we move forward with this expanded food program, we're not just feeding our community — we're fueling its future,” school board President Cindy Garlock said in a statement. “We're grateful for the support we've received and excited about the positive impact we'll continue to make. Together, as a district family and with our community partners, we're ensuring that every learner in the Cedar Rapids Community School District is truly future ready.”

“This expanded food program is just one example of how we're continuously striving to make our mission and values a living reality in our community,” Garlock said. “We remain committed to finding new and innovative ways to support our learners and their families, ensuring that our impact extends far beyond the classroom.”

The school district collaborated with state Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids, to create the meal site in response to the increased food insecurity following the Hy-Vee closure.

“Johnson’s central location in the Wellington Heights neighborhood makes it the perfect site to serve our community,” Scheetz said in a statement. “The collaboration that went into this project truly demonstrates that government can be a force for good.”

Superintendent Tawana Grover wrote in a letter requesting funds to the county supervisors: “By expanding the food program, Representative Scheetz, CRCSD, and Linn County can help combat food insecurity by ensuring families in the area have access to nutritious meals, which is essential for their overall well-being.”

Grover sent a similar letter to Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz asking for a $10,000 contribution from the city toward the program. Pomeranz said the contribution will be on the July 23 Cedar Rapids City Council agenda for consideration.

Grover said the district has operated a summer meal program for many years to alleviate food insecurity within the community, but these opportunities were limited to children aged 18 or younger.

“With this funding, these meals will now be able to serve people of any age at no cost to themselves,” Grover wrote. “The funding will be utilized to procure the food required for the successful implementation and operation of the program.”

County Supervisor Ben Rogers said this was not a current meal site, but “it is in a sensitive neighborhood recently impacted by the closure of Hy-Vee.”

Rogers and Supervisor Louie Zumbach approved the district’s request for ARPA funding. Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt was absent.

The district has until Dec. 31, 2026 to use county funds, the date when the federal government requires all ARPA funds be spent.

“I’m incredibly proud of how our local governments have taken it upon themselves to address this problem head-on,” Scheetz said. “By providing free meals to individuals of all ages, we’re ensuring that everyone in our community has access to nutritious food. This initiative is an example of what we can achieve when we work together to improve the lives of our residents.”

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