DES MOINES, Iowa — A new survey from the Iowa Food Bank Association, conducted by online polling company Civiqs, finds food insecurity is a bipartisan concern among the state’s registered voters. A majority of respondents also showed support for hunger relief programs including Choose Iowa, Double Up Food Bucks, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Summer EBT.

52% said the state is not doing enough to help Iowans facing food insecurity.

“The findings were enlightening,” said Linda Gorkow, executive director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, which represents the state’s six Feeding America food banks (including Food Bank of Iowa). “The poll results showed 35% ranked groceries and food as their largest monthly household expense, and 39% believe they are worse off financially than last year. It’s no wonder Iowans are recognizing food insecurity and hunger are impacting the lives of the people around them as well as those in their community.”

The poll’s release coincides with IFBA’s Hunger-Free Day on the Hill on Feb. 25. Together, food bank leaders and volunteers are advocating for policies that eliminate food insecurity and efficiently and effectively serve Iowans facing hunger.

Civiqs conducted the survey of 636 registered voters in Iowa from Feb. 8-12. The results were weighted by age, race, gender, education and party identification to be representative of the population of registered voters in Iowa.

One of IFBA’s objectives is to expand Choose Iowa so Iowa food banks can purchase locally grown, produced or processed foods. The Civiqs poll found 82% of respondents overall support increasing state funding for food banks to purchase Choose Iowa food — with 78% of Republicans saying Choose Iowa should be expanded.

Another IFBA goal is increased funding for Double Up Food Bucks, a program that helps low-income Iowans purchase fresh fruits and vegetables through SNAP. The poll found 69% support Double Up Food Bucks, 68% say SNAP helps those facing food insecurity, and 79% support the state participating in summer EBT.

“Across the state, large bipartisan majorities of voters support programs to address food insecurity. Programs like Choose Iowa and Summer EBT have the support of over three in four Iowans – including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and Independents,” said Drew Linzer, director of Civiqs.

Another IFBA objective is to increase TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) funding in the Farm Bill to help individuals facing hunger and support the U.S. agricultural economy.

“When you see that 66% recognize food insecurity as an issue in their local communities, it’s a positive movement that will propel us forward because we know that in order to address a problem, you first have to recognize it. That’s what we want to address, and as trusted community servants, our food bank leaders are working to end hunger and decrease food insecurity,” Gorkow said.

To learn how you can donate, advocate for your neighbors facing food insecurity or volunteer at your local food bank, please contact Food Bank of Iowa, Food Bank for the Heartland, Food Bank of Siouxland, HACAP, Northeast Iowa Food Bank or River Bend Food Bank, or visit iowafba.org.  

About the Iowa Food Bank Association

The Iowa Food Bank Association supports six Feeding America food banks that serve Iowa to ensure sufficient food is accessible to all. Formed in 2009, the Iowa Food Bank Association was created to foster collaboration and make hunger relief more effective and efficient within the state of Iowa. The association helps Feeding America food banks through advocacy, food and fund procurement, disaster relief, food assistance outreach and operations. The six Feeding America food banks that comprise the Iowa Food Bank Association include Food Bank of Siouxland Inc., Food Bank for the Heartland, Food Bank of Iowa, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, River Bend Food Bank and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) Food Reservoir. Find out more at iowafba.org.

Contacts:
Phil Jeneary, advocacy manager, Iowa Food Bank Association, 641-230-0199, advocacy@iowafba.org
Linda Gorkow, executive director, Iowa Food Bank Association, 319-423-3427, linda@iowafba.org