Chris Ford, President & CEO River Bend Food Bank
New survey data from the Iowa Food Bank Association shows strong support for state-level nutrition programs.
Survey results show 71% of respondents think food insecurity in Iowa is a concern, and half said the state of Iowa is not doing enough to support individuals.
River Bend Food Bank President & CEO Chris Ford said he is encouraged to see bipartisan support for programs that support healthy food for Iowans.
“These survey results make it clear that people across our state value practical solutions like Choose Iowa, Double Up Food Bucks, and Summer EBT,” Ford said. “These are important programs that help families put nutritious food on the table while supporting local farmers and businesses.”
Ford said he is grateful for the Iowa Food Bank Association’s leadership in shining an important light on this issue.
“Even as federal programs face uncertainty, it’s reassuring to see Iowans united in wanting to take care of one another,” he said. “I’m hopeful that this broad public support will drive meaningful action this legislative session.”
Read more about the survey: Survey Data Reveals Broad Public Support for Nutrition Assistance Programs
River Bend is one of six Iowa Food Bank Association member food banks.
In River Bend’s service area, which includes 23 counties in Illinois and Iowa, 150,000 individuals rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
In River Bend’s service area alone, SNAP provides 12 million meals per month. Nationally, for every one meal that a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine.
The One Big Beautiful Bill, or HR-1, reduces food assistance for millions, cutting federal funding for SNAP by $187 billion through 2034. Learn more: SNAP Facts from River Bend