Fareway Donates 24,000 Pounds of Protein to Iowa
Fareway Stores, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Food Bank of Iowa join to fight hunger through the annual Meat the Need program.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Fareway Stores, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Food Bank of Iowa donated nearly 24,000 pounds of protein to Food Bank of Iowa on Friday, November 6. The donation includes 10,000 pounds of ground pork and 13,440 pounds of ground turkey.
Why it matters
The donation addresses food insecurity across Iowa, where the protein will reach communities statewide. It marks the fifth consecutive year of the partnership among Iowa farmers, Fareway customers and employees, and hunger-relief advocates.
The donation totals nearly 24,000 pounds of protein valued at $50,000, with 10,000 pounds of ground pork and 13,440 pounds of ground turkey. The distribution schedule to individual partner agencies was not specified.
The players
Fareway Stores
Fareway Stores is an Iowa-based grocery chain that has partnered with Food Bank of Iowa for the annual Meat the Need program.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a statewide agricultural advocacy organization that co-funds the protein donation with Fareway.
Food Bank of Iowa
Food Bank of Iowa is a statewide hunger-relief organization that distributes food through a network of partner pantries, meal programs and agencies.
The details
The protein is being distributed through Food Bank of Iowa's network of partner food pantries, meal programs and agencies serving communities throughout the state. Nearly 100,000 Iowans are expected to sit down to a meal that includes the ground pork or ground turkey.
Timeline
• Friday, November 6, 2026: Fareway, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Food Bank of Iowa donate protein as part of the annual Meat the Need program.
Philanthropy Pattern
This year's donation extends the Meat the Need program into its fifth consecutive year, following a recurring annual pattern of agricultural and retail partners supplying protein to Iowa's food bank network. The partnership's continuity marks it as a sustained rather than one-time effort.
Iowans facing food insecurity may gain access to ground pork and ground turkey through local food pantries and meal programs. The donation supplies protein to nearly 100,000 residents at no direct cost to them.
The takeaway
Ongoing partnerships between grocers, farm organizations and food banks can sustain hunger relief over multiple years. Readers who want to support similar efforts can consider donating to or volunteering with local food banks.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage for context on how corporate and agricultural donations support hunger relief across Iowa.
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