Public News Service

A recent poll by the Save the Children Action Network shows 90% of swing-state voters want the government to help struggling families afford food, groceries and child care. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Address child hunger in next Farm Bill

Results of a poll by the Save the Children Action Network show voters of all backgrounds are struggling with the cost of living and want the governmen…

Created by a bipartisan act of Congress in 2022, what is now called the Sun Bucks program provides $120 in nutrition benefits nationally during summer months to households whose children who qualify for free and reduced-price school meals. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa advocates rally for kids' summertime food

Iowa is one of 13 states not participating in a federal summer food program for children. The Iowa Hunger Coalition has launched a petition drive to …

Corporations have raised retail pork prices by 20%, but the farmers supplying California with crate-free pork are only receiving about 5% more for their hogs, according to data from the USDA. (Adobe Stock)

California 'price gouging' ripples to Iowa

Farm advocates claim price gouging on meat and poultry in California is spreading across the country, including in Iowa, which is the nation's …

Iowa family farm advocates are calling on Congress to reduce the subsidies given to large-scale factory operations in the Farm Bill, and invest more in conservation programs that help small ag producers. (Adobe Stock)

Family farmers call for tougher CAFO regulations in Farm Bill

Family farm advocates are calling for cuts in federal subsidies to large animal feeding operations - technically known as Concentrated Animal Feeding …

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are targeted to people with the greatest need: 92% go to households with incomes below the poverty line, and 54% to households at or below half of the poverty line, about $12,900 for a family of three in 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Hunger Coalition pushes back on SNAP cuts in Farm Bill

One version of the Farm Bill being debated in Congress would cut billions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from agricu…

Atrazine was the most widely used pesticide in Iowa, and applied to 69% of the state's planted acres. (Adobe Stock)

Common produce in IA tops 'Dirty Dozen' pesticide list

The Environmental Working Group has released a new list of produce items most and least affected by pesticides in Iowa and across the country…

While still too low for the aging population, the number of geriatric health-care providers was up 19% in Iowa, according to the latest report from the United Health Foundation. (Adobe stock)

Report: Drug deaths up in Iowa, but other signs encouraging

New data from the United Health Foundation show a handful of significant and chronic health conditions on the rise across the U.S., with colorectal …

If the United States shifted 180,000 acres, or 0.2% of its corn acreage, of genetically modified corn to non-genetically modified, it would generate $7.75 million in additional revenue for U.S. farmers and successfully meet Mexico's shifting needs, according to Farm Action. (Adobe Stock)

Mexico's GM corn ban opens market for American farmers

Mexico has issued a ban on importing genetically modified corn from the U.S., potentially opening a new market for American farmers. Mexico is the …

About 80 Ukrainian farmers learn best practices and ask questions during middle-of-the-night Zoom calls when ISU Swine Veterinarian Justin Brown teaches sessions on disease, biosecurity and feed management. (Iowa State University/Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders)

Iowa experts teach Ukrainian farmers

Livestock and grain experts in Iowa are sharing their experience with Ukrainian farmers who are trying to keep their hog operations viable despite the…

Iowa has more than 30 million acres of farmed land, and boasts the nation's highest production of corn, soybeans, pork and eggs, according to Iowa Farm Facts. (Adobe Stock)

IA small farm advocates call for less corporate land control

Rural advocates are supporting the Farmland for Farmers Act in Congress. It would restrict the amount of Iowa farmland large corporations can own…

A bipartisan group of attorneys general in 31 states, including Iowa, and the District of Columbia are partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance competition and protect consumers in food and agricultural markets. Iowa has its own law, but will support any federal action. (Adobe stock)

IA Investigates Possible Food-Price Gouging

Iowa is part of a bipartisan effort around the nation to strengthen enforcement and prevent anti-trust activity within the nation's food system…

In its annual reports, the Annie E. Casey Foundation notes indicators of child well-being are derived from federal government statistical agencies and reflect the best available state and national data for tracking yearly changes. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Ranks High in Healthy Kids Report, but Advocates Seek Improvement

Compared to other states, Iowa ranks sixth nationally in overall child well-being, according to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, released today by the …

If you're eligible, you can purchase food using benefits that are issued to you monthly. You can use your SNAP benefits to buy a variety of foods for your household, including fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and dairy products, according to USA.gov. (Adobe Stock)

IA on the Brink of Toughening SNAP Eligibility

House lawmakers have approved a bill to make it harder for low income Iowans to qualify for public assistance, and critics said the measure would …

In 2021, around 132.3 million tons of poultry meat were consumed worldwide, making it the most consumed type of meat globally. Pork came in second, followed by beef and veal, according to Statista. (Adobe Stock)

USDA Proposes New Requirements for 'Product of USA' Label Claim

A proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would change the rules on what foods can be labeled 'Product of USA.' Current laws contain …

Hogs and other livestock are used in what's known as

Solar-Powered Mobile Barn Transforms Traditional Agriculture

By Twilight Greenaway for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News …

Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person's eating behaviors. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may signal an eating disorder, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. (Adobe Stock)

Specialists Raise Awareness During Eating Disorder Week

An estimated 291,000 Iowans suffer from eating disorders, which range from mild to lethal. Experts are spreading knowledge and information during …

Americans spend more than $1 billion per year to import organic food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Organic Growers Support New USDA Fraud Rules

New U.S. Department of Agriculture rules will target fraud and increase oversight of the $64 billion-a-year organic food industry. In Iowa, the …

In 2021, the total cost of the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was around $113 billion. The significant increase from the previous year's total of $79 billion was in large part the result of extra pandemic-related benefits. (Adobe Stock)

IA Lawmakers Propose Severe Restrictions for Food Assistance

A Republican-backed bill in the Iowa Legislature seeks to put strict new limits on which foods people could buy at the grocery store using public-assi…

More than 85% of Iowa's land is farmland. (Stock/Adobe Stock)

Iowa Farmers' Priorities Released for 2023 Farm Bill

Rural advocacy groups in Iowa have released their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill, which is already being discussed in Washington, D.C. The Center …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overall cattle inventory is down 2% in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Small Iowa Livestock Producers Benefit from Federal Grants

Thirteen livestock producers in Iowa are getting grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep meat and money closer to home. The dollars …

Food banks are now spread across the globe as a way to address nutritional needs and poverty. The first one in the United States was established in Arizona in 1967. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Food Bank Gears Up for Record Demand with $2 Million Donation

The Food Bank of Iowa has received a $2 million gift from a prominent Des Moines family, to better serve the 300,000 Iowans who are food insecure…

Russia's war in Ukraine has pushed up fertilizer prices that already were high, made scarce supplies rarer still and squeezed farmers domestically and around the world. But farmer advocates also point to market concentration. (Adobe Stock)

Farmers' Advocates, Fertilizer Industry at Odds Over Prices

Claire Carlson for the Daily Yonder Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Iowa News Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaboration The f…

Estimates from Deloitte Consulting suggested expanding free school meals over the summer permanently would boost graduation numbers in the United States by more than 80,000. (Adobe Stock)

Universal School Meals End June 30, Putting More Pressure on Families

At the end of June, waivers allowing the federal government to provide free school meals to all children will expire. As the programs return to pre-…

Hunger-fighting groups say local food pantries often lack refrigeration, making it harder to serve fresh fruits and vegetables to people in need. (Adobe Stock)

Elevating Nutrition in Iowa's Fight Against Hunger

National Hunger Awareness Month kicks off today, and rising grocery costs are adding to concerns about people losing access to enough food. An Iowa …

While such issues as tax cuts are getting attention in the Iowa Legislature, some advocacy groups hope policymakers don't lose sight of programs they say would improve health outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

'Day of Action' to Highlight Health-Policy Priorities for IA

If Iowa wants to create healthier outcomes for its residents, advocates say there are steps policymakers can take right now to make it happen…

Consumer experts say help may be on the horizon when it comes to supply-chain issues, but food costs could remain higher going into 2022. (Adobe Stock)

IA Food Shelves Grappling With Higher Prices, Supply Issues

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- From supply-chain issues to rising food costs, local food shelves are navigating a sea of obstacles in gathering enough supplies …

During the Great Recession, 50 million Americans experienced food insecurity, compared with an estimated 38 million during last year's economic fallout from COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Single Moms, Families of Color Most Affected by Hunger in 2020

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The rate of people experiencing hunger in Iowa and across the U.S. was steady during 2020, according to initial data from the U.S…

Environmental groups have sounded the alarm over runoff from factory farms and industrial agriculture that flow into rivers in central Iowa. (Adobe Stock)

New Map Highlights Impact of Slaughter Facilities on Waterways

DES MOINES, Iowa - Some of Iowa's largest drinking-water sources have struggled with runoff from livestock facilities and farm sites. A new …

A new report says during the pandemic, Iowa's Black, Latino and multiracial households with children were three times as likely as white households to worry about making their next rent or mortgage payment. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Ranking, Pandemic Clouds IA's Child Well-being Outlook

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa gets some high marks in the latest 50-state report on children's wellbeing, but the annual findings show the pandemic is …

Critics of enhanced online eligibility verification for public-assistance programs say it could deter people in Iowa from applying, even if they qualify. (Adobe Stock)

Plan to Recheck IA Public-Assistance Eligibility Raises Concerns

DES MOINES, Iowa - A proposal in the Iowa Legislature to recheck people's eligibility for public-assistance programs is getting some pushback…

Although federal relief packages have benefited local meat-processing companies seeing higher demand, some say the aid has been slow, which has prompted calls for state-level help. (Adobe Stock)

IA Bill Would Give Local Meat Processors a Leg Up

STORY CITY, Iowa - The supply chain for meat processing still is dealing with issues caused by the pandemic, and smaller operations have been picking …

As of 2019, federal agriculture officials said there were more than 16,000 organic farms in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Key Protection More Accessible as Organic Farms Grow in Numbers

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa is among the top states when it comes to the number of organic farms in operation, but producers have long struggled to …

A new survey says the number of Iowans struggling to cover one month of expenses has increased by 1% since the pandemic began. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: COVID Payments Will Help Many Iowans

DES MOINES, Iowa -- More than half of Iowans surveyed say new federal stimulus payments will provide immediate financial help. The Treasury …

In 2019, Iowa's Help Us Stop Hunger program saw 3,750 deer donated to food banks, generating nearly 630,000 meals to Iowa families dealing with food scarcity. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Hunters Help Fight Rising Tide of Hunger

DES MOINES -- Iowa is seeing more first-time visitors to food banks during the economic fallout from the pandemic, so an annual food drive involving …

Hundreds of thousands of Iowa households and businesses have seen lengthy power outages after last week's storms. The National Guard is helping to restore electric service. (Adobe Stock)

Low-Income Iowans Urged to Seek Disaster Aid

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Many parts of Iowa are still reeling from last week's storms and their widespread damage. And lower-income residents are being …

Food pantries have had to figure out new ways to acquire and store food as donations from grocery stores have gone down but excess produce meant for restaurants has increased. (Share our Selves)

New Report Highlights Concerns Over Food Waste During Crisis

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Even before the pandemic, Americans wasted about 40% of the food we produced - $218 billion worth each year. Now a report from the …

An analysis of data from the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture estimates that 99% of U.S. farm animals are located on factory farms. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Call on Consumers to Boycott Large-Scale Meat Producers

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The corporate meat industry is the target of a new campaign that asks consumers to boycott products from large operations…

The Impossible Burger and Beyond Beef are considered two of the more popular alternative meat products. (Adobe Stock)

Alternative Meat Products' Benefits, Concerns Cited

AMES, Iowa -- Going into 2020, there's continued excitement for alternative meat products and their benefits. But an Iowa-based expert says consumers …

Soda consumption, a contributor to obesity and diabetes in the U.S., fell to a 31-year low in 2016, according to Beverage Digest. But sugars and refined starches still make up much of the American diet. (Free-photos/Pixabay)

A New Political Platform: Better Nutrition for all Americans?

DES MOINES, Iowa – Democratic candidates running for president in 2020 have multiple ideas about how to fix the nation's health-care system…

Research increasingly shows that coronary heart disease and mental illness may actually be linked, and one might even cause the other. (rawpixel/Pixabay)

Iowa Employers Step Up to Improve Workplace Health

DES MOINES, Iowa – New research shows that mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, can lead to heart disease – a reason the …

The Falling Fruit online map allows users to enter an address to locate free, foragable fruits, nuts and even spices such as lavender or pink peppercorns. (fallingfruit.org)

Fruit Falling on Your Head? Harvest It!

DES MOINES, Iowa – If it's not raindrops falling on your head, it might be an apricot, cherries, apples or plums – and a foraging group …

Less than 7% � or 5,636 � of Iowa�s farms are on small or medium acreages, and are run and owned by one family, according to Iowa Watch. (savingplaces.org)

Trade-War Subsidies Favor Big Farms Over Smaller Operations

DES MOINES, Iowa – Farm subsidies meant to offset the impacts of the Trump administration's trade war have been swept up by the nation's …

Only 1-in-10 U.S. adults gets enough fruits or vegetables, with men, young adults and people living in poverty consuming the least.(localharvest.org)

Incentivizing a Healthy Diet for Iowa's Low-Income Residents

DES MOINES, Iowa — A new study shows incentive programs such as Iowa's "Double Up Food Bucks" boost healthy eating among low-income residents …

The Sioux City School District has added a second bus to its mobile food fleet to ensure more children have access to the annual summer meal program. (siouxcityschools.org)

Caring for Kids through Iowa's Summer Food Program

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa expects to serve more than 1 million meals and snacks to 25,000 kids who are home from school for summer vacation…

Some Iowa farmers say this was the first May in which they couldn't plant any crops because of an extremely wet and cold spring. (iowaenvironmentalfocus.org)

Iowa Farmers Cope With Turbulent Weather, Troubled Trade Talks

DES MOINES, Iowa — The U.S. is coming off the wettest 12 months on record, and Iowa farmers are being encouraged to boost conservation …

The American Heart Association of Iowa is moving away from its traditional focus on heart disease, to instead encourage a vital lifestyle for overall improved health. (mabelamber/Pixabay)

Iowa's AHA Goes All Out for Healthy Lifestyles

DES MOINES, Iowa – When it comes to taking care of their health, research shows Iowans have cut down on smoking and improved their diets…

In Iowa, more than 360,000 people struggle with hunger, according to the group Feeding America. (fairfoodnetwork.org)

Farm Bill Rescues SNAP, But Hunger Remains

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Farm Bill passed by Congress last week did not include major cuts to SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. But hunger-…

After a rebound last year, farm income is forecast to drop 13 percent this year, in part because of the trade war hitting soybeans. (sdsoybean.org)

Midterms Won't Tame Tariff Woes for Iowa Farmers

DES MOINES, Iowa — Globalization has been both good and bad for American farmers, and that fact is hitting home especially hard for Iowa …

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IA: Hunger/Food/Nutrition