Feeding Iowa: The People, Programs and Partnerships Behind Hunger Relief
December 5, 2024
By Haley Banwart
In the heart of America’s breadbasket, it’s easy to assume hunger is a distant concern. Yet in Iowa, one in nine residents faces food insecurity, a statistic that underscores the vital work of the Iowa Food Bank Association (IFBA).
As a coalition of Feeding America food banks and affiliates that serve each of Iowa’s 99 counties, the IFBA operates with a singular mission: to fight and ultimately end hunger in the state. Through an intricate network of partnerships and innovative programs, the IFBA provides meals and strengthens communities, proving that collaboration is key to combating food insecurity.
A Statewide Commitment to Collaboration
“Hunger is a complex issue, and it’s not something we can solve alone,” says Linda Gorkow, executive director of the IFBA. “Our efforts to ensure food is accessible to all are always better when we work together.”
The IFBA embodies this philosophy through initiatives like Choose Iowa, a program administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). Choose Iowa promotes local agricultural products, connecting farmers, producers and processors with consumers while encouraging the purchase of Iowa-made goods.
The partnership between Choose Iowa and the IFBA took a significant step forward with the launch of the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program — Food Bank Pilot in 2024. This initiative allocated $225,000 to help Iowa food banks purchase fresh, locally sourced foods such as dairy, meat, poultry, eggs and produce from Choose Iowa members.
Participating food banks match the state's investment on a one-to-one basis, effectively doubling the resources available for food procurement. This integrated approach not only supplies nutritious, Iowa-grown food to those facing food insecurity, but it also creates a direct market for the state’s farmers and agricultural businesses.
Yet the challenge remains significant. According to the latest data, 10.8% of Iowans face food insecurity, including 15.4% of children — approximately one in six. The pandemic has only exacerbated these numbers, with rising costs and lingering economic disruptions driving more families into uncertainty.
“You wouldn’t think people would experience hunger in a state like Iowa,” Gorkow remarks. “But food insecurity often goes unnoticed. Most people know someone who is food insecure without even realizing it. We’re seeing many Iowans turning to pantries for the first time.”
An Invisible Network at Work
Behind every meal distributed is an intricate network of people, programs and partnerships. Food banks serve as centralized hubs for food collection and distribution, working tirelessly to rescue safe, edible food that might otherwise go to waste.
In 2023, the six Feeding America food banks serving Iowa rescued 27.1 million pounds of food, preventing it from ending up in landfills. Collectively, these food banks provide more than 45 million meals to Iowans annually.
This collaborative spirit extends across a vast network of more than 1,000 food pantries, ranging from small community organizations to large nonprofits. Together, they ensure that resources are distributed equitably across all six state service areas.
“It’s an ongoing, orchestrated effort,” Gorkow explains. “Farmers work hard throughout the year, and it’s the same with food banks — there’s so much happening and so many people working behind the scenes to ensure food is distributed where it’s needed.”
Food safety and traceability are cornerstones of this invisible network. The IFBA adheres to strict guidelines, working with partners such as the American Institute of Baking (AIB), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other regulatory bodies to ensure the highest standards.
Food banks do not store food long-term; instead, they follow highly regulated processes to quickly distribute quality food across the state through carefully coordinated routes. An extraordinary number of dedicated volunteers and staff make these efforts possible.
Creative Solutions to Evolving Challenges
Over the past few decades, Iowa’s food pantries have evolved from grassroots efforts into sophisticated operations. Where pantries once relied on overages from manufacturers, they now source food through a combination of local partnerships, donations and national supply networks.
“We’ve had to get creative in the work we do with food and fund procurement,” Gorkow says. “Manufacturers are more efficient now, so there are fewer overages. That means fundraising is more critical than ever, and there is a great need right now in the state.”
This creativity extends to meeting the diverse needs of Iowa’s communities. The IFBA works to provide culturally appropriate foods for immigrants, nutritious options for seniors, and specialized programs for children and veterans.
Initiatives like Operation Backpack and dedicated school pantries ensure children, teachers and their family members have access to food even outside school hours. Additional programs, like mobile food pantries, help address needs in food deserts, where traditional pantries might not be open or there’s a higher demand.
Recognizing the connection between nutrition and health, the IFBA is embracing the food-as-medicine movement to enhance its impact. Gorkow says this approach focuses not just on making food available but on providing fresh milk, cheese, eggs and produce to improve health outcomes for Iowans.
“Food is often a flag for other challenges,” she explains. “By offering people a choice in the foods they receive, the IFBA aims to address broader challenges tied to food insecurity.”
A Call to Action and Advocacy
The winter months are a particularly critical time for the IFBA. As the abundance of summer and fall harvest fades, the need for nonperishable items and financial donations becomes even more urgent.
Gorkow encourages Iowans to get involved by volunteering, donating or taking the time to understand the challenges their neighbors face.
“Take a tour of your local food bank,” she suggests. “Help sort or package food, meet the volunteers and learn what hunger looks like in your community. Every penny and every donation make a difference.”
The IFBA’s work doesn’t stop with meeting immediate needs; it also focuses on long-term solutions and state-level advocacy to create systemic change. Central to these efforts is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a critical resource that supports one in 12 working Iowans and is often the most effective way to get food to those in need.
Programs like Double Up Food Bucks, which doubles the purchasing power of SNAP benefits for fresh produce, are a key focus of the IFBA’s efforts to improve access to nutritious food. To advance these priorities, the IFBA’s advocacy team engages with legislators and organizes events like Hunger Free Iowa Day on the Hill.
Generosity at the Heart of Hunger Relief
“When someone picks up food from a pantry, they may not realize the countless people and partnerships working behind the scenes to make it happen,” Gorkow shares. “This work impacts hundreds of thousands of Iowans and begins with the generosity of the state’s agricultural community.”
She adds, “Farmers play a pivotal role, donating everything from sweet corn and watermelon to protein through initiatives like Pass the Pork and Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH), which channels venison from hunters to pantries.”
Additionally, Iowa’s soybean, pork, beef, egg, corn, turkey and dairy associations provide essential protein and resources that help nourish families across the state.