IARN — The Iowa Egg Council and Fareway helped donate over 24,000 dozen eggs to the Food Bank of Iowa on Wednesday, January 19th.
Kevin Stiles, executive director of the Iowa Egg Council, says the milestone egg donation was the result of a partnership with Fareway and their buy two dozen, give one dozen promotion during the holiday season.
“This is actually the 6th year of this partnership, so we are very excited about being able to continue it,” said Stiles. “We’re excited that consumers and families across the state step up and want to be a part of this partnership. It’s also a part of a larger project we have here in partnership with food banks and that is called Cracking Hunger.”
Michelle Book, CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa, says Feeding America food banks across Iowa will receive a total donation of 24,400 dozen eggs. In total, the partnership has provided more than 1.5 million eggs to food banks across Iowa since its inception.
“This is a little nugget of nutrition,” said Book. “One egg contains 6 grams of protein, provides 80 calories and essential vitamins and nutrients. We all know outside the temperatures are dropping and utility bills are increasing. This provides food nutrition for Iowans struggling to make ends meet so they don’t have to make the choice between utility bill and dinner. These eggs will go out of our warehouse and across the state of Iowa within days.”
B.J. Van Der Linden, Fareway Regional Vice President, says donations of eggs from individuals are rare, so food banks rely on donations from egg producers, wholesalers and retailers, along with bulk purchasing, to provide a supply for their partners and pantry guests.
“It’s an easy process for the customer,” said Van Der Linden. “They are buying eggs for their homes already. Our promotion is buy 2 get 1 free, so to pick up one extra dozen is not that big of an ask for a customer in return to our partnership with the Iowa Egg Council and provide that extra dozen to the food bank.”
The eggs will be distributed to the following organizations across Iowa: Food Bank of Iowa, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Food Bank for the Heartland, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, River Bend Foodbank and Food Bank of Siouxland.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
