- ICI Food Waste Study
- Iowa Food Waste Stakeholder Group: The Iowa Food Waste Stakeholder Group is a collaborative effort of individuals and organizations from varying parts of the food system The group determined a white paper should be developed to increase public awareness and promote discussion on food waste in Iowa. The white paper uses the US Environmental Protection Agency Food Recovery Hierarchy as a guide towards explaining where Iowa stands now and how to move our state to become a leader in food waste reduction and diversion efforts.
- Iowa Schools Food Waste Minimization Toolkit
Food Storage Capacity Project Awards
The DNR received, reviewed and awarded 35 grants totaling $204,034.94 to eligible applicants across the State of Iowa. Funding was limited to the purchase of Energy Star refrigerators, Energy Star freezers and shelving. These eligible items make it possible to accept additional food donations and to properly store additional perishable and non-perishable food items for longer periods. The increase in food storage capacity allows for well-rounded, nutritious meals for a greater number of Iowans.
Prior to witnessing the impacts of COVID-19, statistics show that 1 out of every 10 Iowans, or more, experience food insecurity. The definition of food insecurity as used by the Food Bank of Iowa: food insecurity is the lack of reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. According to Feeding America, food insecurity rates are anticipated to increase across the country and project an overall 15% increase of food insecurity of Iowans. For Iowa children, the increase of food insecurity is expected to increase to 24% to 26%.
Food insecurity could be sporadic and related to employment, unexpected bills, car repairs, health care costs, etc. Food insecurity can also be on-ongoing for many persons such as the elderly, and persons with disabilities and for persons on a fixed income. Individual food pantries may need to limit the amount of food a person may receive or the frequency in which food may be obtained. Food storage capacity expansion addresses these limitations as well as reducing the amount of edible food being landfilled.
Food Storage Capacity Project Award Summaries
Food Storage Capacity Grant Opportunity
The DNR is offering the Food Storage Capacity Grant Opportunity to help address food waste, an issue that negatively impacts environmental, economic and social sustainability in Iowa and across the country.
This grant opportunity is designed to expand storage and cold storage of recovered food items. Food banks, food pantries and other non-profit organizations receiving food for distribution to food insecure Iowans are eligible to apply.
Food Storage Capacity Grant Application