Truckload of ground meat will provide nearly 24,000 pounds of protein, the equivalent of 100,000 servings for Iowans in need.

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Fareway Stores are donating a truckload of protein to Iowa’s six Feeding America food banks again this year as part of their annual Meat the Need partnership. 

The donation delivered last week to the Food Bank of Iowa included nearly 24,000 pounds of ground meat — the equivalent of 100,000 servings for Iowans in need. 

This year marks the fifth consecutive year of the partnership, which brings together Iowa farmers, Fareway customers and employees, and hunger-relief advocates to address food insecurity across the state. 

“Iowa farmers are committed to growing and raising the food that our communities depend on, and we’re proud to help support our neighbors across Iowa during a time of need,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “Food insecurity is a challenge facing many families, and Iowa Farm Bureau is proud to continue our partnership with Fareway to provide fresh, high-quality protein to those who need support.”

The Meat the Need program began in 2022 when protein supplies at the Food Bank of Iowa were running critically low, said Annette Hacker, chief communications and strategy officer for the Food Bank of Iowa. The organization reached out to Fareway for help, and Farm Bureau joined with financial support to make the donation of ground meat possible.

“Providing families with access to quality protein is one of the most impactful ways we can support our neighbors facing hunger,” said Jeff Cook, vice president of market operations for Fareway Stores Inc. “Fareway is proud to continue our partnership with Iowa Farm Bureau and Food Bank of Iowa through the Meat the Need program. 

“Together, we are helping deliver nutritious meals to Iowans while supporting the farmers and communities that are at the heart of our state.” 


Fighting Hunger Throughout Iowa

The protein donation will be distributed statewide to community, school and church food pantries and other food assistance sites through the Iowa Food Bank Association in partnership with the Food Bank of Iowa. The Iowa Food Bank Association represents food assistance sites in all 99 Iowa counties. 

“For the fifth year, Fareway and the Iowa Farm Bureau have generously supported our Meat the Need campaign with a donation of fresh, high-quality protein,” said Food Bank of Iowa President and CEO Tami Nielsen. “This dedicated partnership means the world to us and our neighbors facing hunger.  Nearly 100,000 Iowans will soon sit down to a nutritious meal with a variety of different proteins thanks to this meaningful donation.”

Food assistance needs remain elevated due to inflation and high fuel costs, which are raising prices at grocery stores, Hacker said. 

Food banks are also spending more to meet that demand, she added. For example, Hacker noted, the Food Bank of Iowa is now spending more on food purchases every month than it did during the entire year in 2019. 

Food donations like Meat the Need from Farm Bureau and Fareway — along with financial donations and volunteers who help sort and distribute the food — keep food banks going, she said. 

“I always say we need three things — food, funds and friends,” she said. “It’s a year-round need, and we are spending more money to fulfill our mission.”

To find out more about the Iowa Food Bank Association, its six Feeding America food bank partners and the communities they serve, go www.iowafba.org.