Mac and cheese crop
Food Bank of Iowa team members (left to right) Cassadey Cart, Emily Shearer, Ty Harris, Kelsey Finke, Loryssa Rippey and Jen Baccam welcomed the delivery of more than 40,000 pounds of Land O’Lakes macaroni and cheese on May 29, 2024.

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 29, 2024) – Land O’Lakes Inc. today donated more than 40,000 pounds of LAND O LAKES® Macaroni & Cheese to Food Bank of Iowa through the Land O’Lakes First Run Program.

The First Run Program has donated more than 7 million pounds of product since it was established in 2010. The program is committed to donating truckloads of fresh product year-round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger across the United States. This includes more than 317,000 pounds of food donated to the state of Iowa.

“As a farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes Inc. is deeply committed to hunger relief. This effort begins locally in the communities that our members and employees call home, many of them rural,” said Sheilah Stewart, senior vice president and general counsel, Land O’Lakes Inc. “We are honored to help our Feeding America food bank partners get fresh, nutritious food directly to the families who need it most.”

“Food insecurity in our state is at an all-time high,” said Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book. “With 1 in 6 Iowa kids facing hunger, and many at risk this summer without free and reduced-price school meals, this nutritious, easy-to-prepare macaroni and cheese could not have come at a better time. We are grateful for Land O’Lakes and its member-owners, who through this generous donation have provided more than 33,500 meals.”

For more information on Land O’Lakes’ commitment to the community, visit www.landolakesinc.com/responsibility.

About Land O’Lakes Inc.

Land O’Lakes Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2023 annual sales of $17 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 213 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 100 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.

About Food Bank of Iowa

Established in 1982, Food Bank of Iowa provides nutritious food for Iowa children, families, seniors and veterans to lead full and active lives, strengthening their communities. Serving 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties, Food Bank of Iowa delivers more than 22.5 million pounds of food (more than 18.75 million meals) to 700 partners annually. Learn more at foodbankowa.org.