The leader of the Food Bank of Iowa says they saw an increased demand in November and she doesn't expect that to drop off. Food Bank CEO, Michelle Book, says they had been distributing an average of one million pounds of food each month to their 55 counties. "We saw our distribution spike … [Read more...]
Iowa Farm Bureau researcher: food wasn’t a weapon in NAFTA negotiations
A top Iowa Farm Bureau official says he's thankful Mexico didn't start a food fight during the renegotiation of NAFTA. David Miller, the IFB's director of research, notes - - unlike other countries -- Mexican trade officials did not target agricultural products when retaliating to U.S. steel and … [Read more...]
Giving Tuesday doesn’t solve all the problems of nonprofits
We just finished "Giving Tuesday" but some nonprofits in the state are still struggling. Kelly Ptacek, with the Food Bank for the Heartland, says they're still in dire need of donations of canned and packaged food as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. "We work with our partners in the … [Read more...]
Questions still abound about cooking the big bird
Its' an annual tradition -- but many people across the country still have questions about the proper methods for cooking and preparing turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner. Iowa Turkey Federation executive director Gretta Irwin says a common mistake is not allowing enough time to properly thaw … [Read more...]
Home cooked Thanksgiving meal costs less than one delivered
If you're still debating whether to cook your own Thanksgiving meal or have someone else do it for you -- the Farm Bureau says the home cooking option is cheaper. Iowa Farm Bureau spokesman Andrew Wheeler says the organization's survey this year found a drop in the cost of the goods for a … [Read more...]
Food Bank of Iowa sets lofty goal for annual Combat Hunger campaign
The Food Bank of Iowa has set a fundraising goal to supply 300,000 meals to needy Iowans. Spokesperson Danny Akright says the lofty goal is for Combat Hunger, the organization's largest annual food and fund drive. "I know last year we hit 270,000 meals, which was the best we've ever done, so this … [Read more...]
Sioux City eatery to start celebrating its 100th anniversary
One of Sioux City's best known restaurants is about to mark a major milestone. The Milwaukee Wiener House opened near the Milwaukee Railroad Line in 1918. In 2013, the restaurant closed its original location to make way for the Hard Rock Casino and reopened a few months later in downtown Sioux … [Read more...]
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars closing for upgrades
A popular tourist attraction in northwest Iowa will close today for renovation. The Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor, located in Le Mars is closing its doors to begin a four million dollar upgrade. The ice cream parlor will re-open on November 19th for the holiday season, then close again from … [Read more...]
Winners of Robert D. Ray SHARES Humanitarian Award recognized
More than a dozen people and organizations are being honored by the World Food Prize organization for their roles in an effort 39 years ago that helped save the lives of thousands of refugees along the Cambodian border of Thailand. In October of 1979, Ken Quinn was an aide to then Governor Robert … [Read more...]
New company plans to open in shuttered Tyson Foods plant in Cherokee
A newly formed company is planning to do business in a northwest Iowa Tyson Foods plant that was shut down in 2014. Bill Anderson, executive director for Cherokee Area Economic Development, says the Iowa Food Group has acquired the facility. The announcement falls on homecoming week for Cherokee … [Read more...]