The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and Fareway launched their second “Fill Your Freezer” sweepstakes today to give Iowans a chance to win a $200 gift card for meat at each of Fareway’s 106 Iowa locations.

Iowans who want a chance to fill their freezers with $200 in meat can visit www.iowafarmbureau.com/fillyourfreezer and select their local Fareway store. The contest runs through January 31, and one winner from each Fareway location in Iowa will be announced in February.

“Iowa carries a proud agricultural heritage, but it’s not just centered around how much farmers produce—but how. Family farmers put animal care and environmental sustainability as top priorities while also producing the healthy, real meat products people continue to enjoy. That’s why farmers continually seek out the best practices and research to nurture the healthiest animals they can to provide the quality, nutritional value and taste of real meat proteins Iowans have come to expect and savor,” says IFBF President and longtime livestock farmer, Craig Hill.

The 2020 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index® shows 95 percent of Iowa grocery shoppers eat meat at least weekly, and 97 percent consume cheese or dairy products at least once a week. With nearly 9 in 10 shoppers looking to purchase foods that support their immune health, 70 percent said they were likely to increase their meat consumption after learning meat and poultry provide the majority of zinc—responsible for helping the body fight off infections—in the American diet.

“Animal proteins— meat, milk and eggs— are ‘complete’ proteins which means they contain all the required amino acids needed for humans. These foods are also great sources of nutrients that maintain and enhance the immune system such as vitamin B12, iron and zinc which are not as well absorbed from plant-based foods,” says Ruth MacDonald, RD, PhD, Iowa State University professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. “Having a well-balanced diet is always important, but during high stress times, it’s even more important to ensure the foods we eat are rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins that support and strengthen our immune system.”

The IFBF Food and Farm Index® also revealed 90 percent of Iowans trust the safety of their food and the farmers who produce it. Knowing that 85 percent of Iowa grocery shoppers have the confidence that Iowa’s family farmers are caring for animals responsibly is a source of pride for both farmers and those who serve as a point of sale for the products they raise.

“Iowa Farm Bureau and Fareway are aligned in recognizing high quality meat comes from farms that put an emphasis on animal wellbeing, and it’s incredible to learn about the innovative ways Iowa farmers continue to improve and maintain the health of their livestock,” said Fareway Vice President of Market Operations Jeff Cook. “Fareway is long known for the quality of our meat counters, and we know the integrity of those products would not be as well regarded if not for the hardworking farmers in our state.”