On Monday, a federal judge struck down new restrictions on food that can be purchased with SNAP benefits in Iowa and four other states. In her 68-page ruling, Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds SNAP, lacked the […]
Iowa hunger
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Iowa Senate sends ‘MAHA bill’ with SNAP restrictions, over-the-counter ivermectin to governor’s desk
The Iowa Senate sent Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “Make America Healthy Again” legislation to her desk Monday, a package that includes SNAP restrictions, over-the-counter ivermectin and several school health and nutrition policies. HF 2676, passed 30-16, seeks to make permanent the state’s currently implemented waivers restricting the purchase of unhealthy foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance […]
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‘There is literally no precedent for this’: Food banks prepare for lapse of SNAP funding under government shutdown
As federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is days away from running out, food banks, pantries and charitable groups across Iowa are bracing for what they anticipate will be “unprecedented” need. SNAP serves around than 270,000 Iowans each month and is a federally supported program. But as politicians in Washington D.C. squabble over […]
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Nearly 50,000 Iowa children could lose food aid in government shutdown, report says
Federal funding for programs feeding thousands of young and vulnerable Iowans could run out if the government shutdown continues, according to a report from Food & Water Watch. The national nonprofit released a map and report Thursday compiling how many children under the age of 5 across the U.S. rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition […]
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These bike-riding burrito slingers are some of Des Moines’ most trusted aid workers
They’re affectionately called “the burrito people.” Or sometimes “the burrito slingers.” They’re easily recognizable by their bright yellow bicycle jerseys, T-shirts and welcoming smiles. Every Thursday evening, you can find them in the basement of the Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in the Des Moines East Village neighborhood. They’re volunteers for the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry […]
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Iowa summer food assistance program falls short on convenience, choices, critics say
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “healthier and cheaper” alternative to federal summer food assistance programs is again facing criticism that it is less convenient and covers fewer food-insecure Iowans than the national program and offers families fewer choices than initially promised. Reynolds’ Healthy Kids Iowa was announced in May after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the […]
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More than 3 million people would lose SNAP benefits under GOP bill, nonpartisan report says
The massive tax and spending bill passed by U.S. House Republicans would likely result in 3.2 million people losing food assistance benefits, and saddle states with around $14 billion a year in costs, according to a new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Democrats have argued the bill, which the House passed, 215-214 early […]
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Coach Jan Jensen and Kate Martin join the Coralville Community Food Pantry to ‘Team Up Against Hunger’
It’s been a year of changes for the University of Iowa Women’s Basketball Team, with new players taking over from big names like Caitlin Clark and Kate “Money” Martin, both now in the WNBA. The squad also got its first new head coach in a quarter century, as Jan Jensen replaced Lisa Bluder, who retired […]
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More than 150 community groups make final plea to Gov. Reynolds: Don’t refuse federal aid for food-insecure Iowa kids
As 2024 draws to a close, the Iowa Hunger Coalition (IHC) is making one final push to persuade Gov. Kim Reynolds to participate in the USDA Summer EBT for Children program in 2025. That program, also known as SUN Bucks, provides $40 a month per child to a family’s SNAP benefit card during the three […]
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Iowa Hunger Coalition calls on Gov. Reynolds to stop rejecting millions in federal aid for food-insecure Iowa kids
The Iowa Hunger Coalition has renewed its call for Gov. Kim Reynolds to have the state participate in the USDA’s Summer EBT program. The program provides direct funds to families with children receiving federal food assistance to help them cover the increased cost of food during summer months when kids aren’t in school. Iowa was one […]
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Despite opt-outs by Iowa and other GOP states, debut of kids’ summer food program seen as a success
A U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative to feed hungry kids during the long summer months is mostly winding down, with advocates calling it a success despite some hiccups — and the federal government and many states are already working to bring the permanent program back in 2025. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program — or Summer EBT — has popped […]
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Together We Achieve will be able to keep its Cedar Rapids food pantry open for now
Last week, Together We Achieve (TWA) launched an emergency fundraiser to keep its food pantry open. The Cedar Rapids nonprofit had seen some of the funding it was counting on fall through, and was no longer able to restock the shelves and coolers at its pantry and community resources center (1150 27th Ave SW). Founder […]
