"Thank you for being there for me"

Anonymous

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Feed Iowa First has created a grassroots Community of Caring across Linn County, Iowa, bringing together sponsors, corporations, urban and rural partnerships, faith organizations, community service organizations, and individual volunteers. Hundreds of neighbors from all walks of life collectively contribute thousands of hours of volunteer service to grow, tend, and harvest fresh, chemical-free produce that is grown specifically for the food-insecure individuals in Linn County.  Since Feed Iowa First was founded in 2011, over 500,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce have been donated to Linn County households and food pantries.

Feed Iowa First supports 9 urban sites, and in 2023 distributed over 46,000 lbs of fresh produce to the community!

Feed Iowa First serves approximately 45,000 duplicated individuals during the 2023 season, an increase from 26,000 in 2022.

Pantry Partners 

Pantries:  Many local pantries lack fresh fruits and vegetables or the produce they receive is left over from stores and has a short shelf life. Feed Iowa First supports seven local food pantries with weekly produce, providing consistency and variety for clients. 

Catherine McAuley Center
First Baptist in Marion 
Linn Community Food Bank
River of Life 
Together We Achieve 

St. Stephens

Hoover Elementary

Westdale Community Church

Mission of Hope

Kirkwood Community College

Apartment Partners: 

The Feed Iowa First Veggie Van makes five stops a week at local apartment complexes and our local Federally Qualified Health Clinic. The Veggie Van brings fresh produce directly to communities in need, alleviating the need for transportation or long bus rides. Clients can pick up produce for neighbors at work. Through the weekly van stops, we come to understand the needs and preferences of each area and can cater to specific diverse communities. 

Glenbrook Apartments

Linwood Apartments

Hawthorne Hills

Clinic Partners 

Health Clinic Partnerships have been integral to improving health equity through food. Patients can pick up healthy food during a visit, providing easy access without additional transportation. 

Community Health Free Clinic  

Eastern Iowa Health Center (Veggie Van) 

Eastern Iowa Health Center Dental  

Other Partners 

Salvation Army Meal Kitchen  

Horizons Meals on Wheels  

Green Square Meals

Metro Catholic Outreach

Trinity Lutheran School Kitchen

Mt. Mercy College Food Pantry 

St. Vincent De Paul 

Freedom Foundation 

Coe College Food Pantry

Wellington Neighborhood Association/Paul Engle Center (Community Fridge) 

We also serve several individuals whom public transportation or the cost of transportation makes coming to our Fresh Revolution Veggie Van impractical. We go directly into neighborhoods and set up, alleviating the need of transportation. All of our produce is high-quality, non-GMO, chemical-free, and FRESH. No leftovers. EVER.

Our clients are free to choose from a wide variety of produce that they will consume and enjoy. We don't pre-pack food boxes. We believe that encourages waste. We educate our clients on simple ways (using five ingredients or less) to prepare a delicious meal with the fresh ingredients we have available. Sometimes, our clients return with not only recipes but also with samples of recipes they created with our donated produce.   

The average supermarket produce item may travel approximately 1,500 miles to reach your supermarket shelf. Feed Iowa First produce travels no more than 25 miles. And because all our produce is grown or sourced locally, we reduce transportation, fuel, and environmental costs as well as minimizing food waste.

Feed Iowa First provides multiple opportunities for volunteers each week, especially during the growing and harvesting seasons. Everyone who volunteers or tends a Feed Iowa First urban farm gains knowledge about growing their own fresh produce and its vital role to overall health. This has encouraged many in our community to start their own gardens, to support local agriculture and to advocate for sustainable food systems.

There are several ways you can support Feed Iowa First either financially or with an in-kind donation from our wishlist or donate your time and skills to bring fresh nutrient-dense produce to the neediest of our Linn County neighbors.