The Food Bank of Iowa collected nearly 10,000 pounds of food from Iowa State Fair vendors, rescuing food that otherwise would have been thrown away. According to a release on the Food Bank of Iowa’s website, food bank volunteers worked with 10 vendors on Monday to gather meat, produce, dairy, eggs and juice that was taken to the Food Bank of Iowa’s distribution center, where it will be inspected and added to the inventory. It will then be delivered to food pantries and congregate meal sites to help residents struggling with food insecurity. “Food rescue is an essential part of serving Iowa families,” said Michelle Book, president and CEO of Food Bank of Iowa. “Otherwise destined for the landfill, this food is diverted safely to our neighbors’ dinner tables — where it belongs.” An estimated 300,000 Iowans are food insecure. Of the 20 million pounds of food distributed by the Food Bank of Iowa last year, 30% was donated and rescued, the release stated. According to the release, this year was the largest food rescue year in the food bank’s history with the state fair.

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.