Iowa is not among the 15 states that have joined the lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s new rules putting further restrictions on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman says his group supports the litigation. "Many, many, many … [Read more...]
HyVee to turn former Iowa Shopko buildings into Dollar Fresh stores
The HyVee grocery story chain plans to buy six former Shopko locations in Iowa and will reopen them as Dollar Fresh stores. HyVee says it will purchase the former Shopko buildings in Hampton, Cresco, Oelwein, Waukon, Dyersville and Vinton. Those locations will be renovated and reopened as Dollar … [Read more...]
DMACC Culinary Institute celebrates 35th exchange program with France
A group of French chefs are visiting the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) campus as part of the anniversary celebration of an exchange program with the school's culinary program. DMACC French professor Maura Nelson says it also started when the state of Iowa started a sister relationship … [Read more...]
Large volunteer food packing effort underway on UNI campus
More than 1,500 volunteers are part of a project today in the UNI-Dome on the University of Northern Iowa campus to assemble food packages for needy children. Northeast Iowa Food Bank Executive Director Barb Prather says the goal is to pack 48,000 bags of food, a goal that will take a large … [Read more...]
Food Bank of Iowa distributed a record amount in 2019
The Food Bank of Iowa reports it acquired and delivered more than 17 million pounds of food in 2019. Spokesman Dylan Lampe says the total gives them a mixed feeling. "It was a 30 percent increase from the highest total we had had previously. We were pretty excited to report those numbers -- but … [Read more...]
Central Iowa food pantry sees busiest month in November
A food pantry in central Iowa that serves the most people in the state saw its busiest month in November. Bidwell Riversides Food Pantry spokesperson, Alison Hanner, says 5,891 people got food at their Des Moines location. She says there's a variety of things that put people in need. "The rising … [Read more...]
Number of turkey producers in Iowa has increased
The Executive Director of the Iowa Turkey Federation, Gretta Irwin, says the state's seen an increase in turkey producers in recent years. Iowa now has about 130 turkey farms with the majority of them comprised of second- and third-generation turkey farmers. "We have been in the top ten for many … [Read more...]
Iowa turkey producers happy to have China back on board
One week from now, families across Iowa will be gathering at the table to enjoy the taste of turkey. Gretta Irwin, executive director of the Iowa Turkey Federation, says Iowa is the nation's seventh largest producer of turkeys and the fifth largest processor. Irwin says shoppers are finding great … [Read more...]
More schools taking part in second Iowa Local Food Day
Today is the second annual Iowa Local Food Day as part of National Farm to School Month. Teresa Wiemerslage, the program coordinator through the ISU Extension, says to take part, schools must serve at least two locally-sourced items for breakfast or lunch. Local foods can include produce, meat, … [Read more...]
This year’s Iowa State Fair to feature lots of new food
The Iowa State Fair will have 50 new foods available when the gates open in August. Spokesperson Mindy Williamson says they try to add some new foods each year. "I think our highest number yet has been 42 -- so this is the most new foods we've ever had and we are super excited. Our … [Read more...]