Pork producers across Iowa donated more than 43 thousand dollars worth of pork to local food pantries during the past few months.
The effort was done in conjunction with the Pork In The Pantry program, organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. This is the second year for Pork In The Pantry, which provides funding of up to one thousand dollars to each county pork producer organization that participates. The Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Ida, O’Brien, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, and Sac County Pork Producers are among 38 that took part in the program this year. Counties are responsible for purchasing the pork and donating it, and they are reimbursed by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
Along with donating much-needed protein to local food pantries, Pork In The Pantry also supports local businesses since many county pork producer organizations purchased the pork from local vendors. The 43 thousand dollars worth of pork will provide an estimated 55 thousand servings of protein for Iowans who are facing food insecurity. Over 40 thousand dollars worth of pork was given to food pantries through the program last year.
