More help for Iowans struggling to feed their families will soon be available if Iowa joins 37 other states in fighting hunger through a State Emergency Food Program.
More than 408,000 Iowans can’t afford the food they need, according to the Iowa Food Bank Association. This includes many Iowa seniors on fixed incomes and working families on tight budgets. One in five Iowa children does not get enough food at home.
SF 439, approved by the Iowa Senate with bi-partisan support on April 16, would provide $2 million for food bank organizations to purchase food and promote healthy eating. The legislation requires the private sector to provide a dollar-for-dollar match.
In addition, the bill creates a new tax credit for farmers and other growers that donate produce to Iowa food banks or other Iowa emergency feeding organizations. The tax credit is equal to 15 percent of the wholesale value of the food donated, and is limited to no more than $5,000 per taxpayer per year.
