MEANS Database announced its acquisition of the Des Moines-based food rescue app ChowBank Sept. 1 at the World Food Prize Foundation’s Iowa Hunger Summit. MEANS, a nonprofit food rescue platform that started in Des Moines, will integrate ChowBank into its technology suite to expand the mobile experience and support a growing user base. “Few get the opportunity to help so many in times of need,” said Chris Draper of ChowBank. “Being able to hand our efforts off so Sammie [Paul] and the MEANS team can maximize ChowBank’s potential is beyond exciting.” Since being commissioned by Aubrey Alvarez of Eat Greater Des Moines and launching in 2015, ChowBank users helped rescue nearly 20 million pounds of food in Iowa.

Iowa Stops Hunger is a yearlong Business Publications Corp. initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa. Read additional stories on Iowastopshunger.com.