The annual contest is now underway to find the best hamburger in the state. Iowa Beef Industry Council spokesperson, Kylie Peterson, says the criteria for the 2023 contestants remains the same. "A 100% real beef patty served on a bun or bread product from a restaurant here in the state of Iowa," … [Read more...]
Creating a backyard chicken flock to beat egg prices isn’t simple
As egg prices bound, backyard chicken flocks are gaining in popularity, but the practice of chicken keeping demands plenty of planning and patience before it pays off. Christa Hartsook, the small farms program coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, says the amount of money … [Read more...]
Local food purchasing program receives U.S.D.A. funding
A U.S.D.A. funded program aims to get local food to hungry people while securing good prices for local producers. The Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program comes from the American Rescue Plan. For Iowans, it means $2.7 million invested in the local food system. Giselle Bruskewitz is a … [Read more...]
New series of ISU webinars on gardening underway
The Iowa State University Extension gardening webinar series is back underway this month. Program Coordinator, Alicia Herzog, says the series is based on input from participants. "We look at the feedback that was given to us last year from people that came to the same gardening webinar series. … [Read more...]
Food Bank of Iowa continues to see record need
The holidays aren't so happy for Iowans who are dealing with economic hardships and hunger, as the state's largest food bank is seeing records for demand set month after month. Michelle Book, CEO and president of the Des Moines-based Food Bank of Iowa, says there's still an impact being felt from … [Read more...]
Food Bank of Iowa continues to see increased need
With food costs and inflation remaining sky high, donations to one of the state's largest food pantries are falling as restaurants and corporate clients cut back -- at the same time food demand is peaking. Michelle Book, CEO of the Des Moines-based Food Bank of Iowa, says they set yet another … [Read more...]
Food Bank of Iowa continues to see increased need
After setting multiple records during the pandemic, the Food Bank of Iowa is setting yet more records this summer for the number of people using its pantries. Annette Hacker is the spokeswoman for the Des Moines-based agency that serves Iowans who are facing food insecurity. "Food Bank of Iowa … [Read more...]
Canning salsa not as easy as it seems
As tomatoes start to ripen in gardens, salsa is one of the favorite things Iowans like to make with them. An Iowa State University Extension food specialist says Renee Sweers says if you want to save some salsa for later canning is an option. But she says there are a lot of variables that include … [Read more...]
Schools looking for lunch funding with the end of pandemic aid
Iowa school districts are about to resume classes without having the funding to provide free lunches for all students. Two years of pandemic aid ended in June, leaving districts scrambling to get qualified families to re-submit applications for free or reduced-price lunches. Shenandoah Schools … [Read more...]
Norwood says Iowa ag secretary should focus on food, land and water
The Democratic Party's nominee for state ag secretary says the Iowa Department of Agriculture needs to represent both producers and consumers. "We have to have an eye on the world and where the world is going and maybe think about the secretary of agriculture as the secretary of food, land and … [Read more...]