DES MOINES, Iowa (Aug. 2, 2024) – Kirbe Schnoor, host of RFD-TV’s “FarmHer,” will join Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book to emcee the food bank’s fourth annual Iowa State Fair casserole contest Aug. 18 at 11 a.m.

Kirbe Schnoor
Kirbe Schnoor
Michelle Book
Michelle Book

Fairgoers are invited to watch the competition and join Book and Schnoor in the Elwell Family Food Center. Audience members will have an opportunity to answer questions and win prizes.

Schnoor was a lifestyle and agriculture reporter for RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel prior to being selected as the new host of “FarmHer” earlier this year. Book has led Food Bank of Iowa since 2016.

Top prizes to be awarded
Food Bank of Iowa – Chopped is sponsored by Nationwide and offers the largest cash prizes awarded across all Iowa State Fair food entries. (See Division 92A). The first-place winner will receive $1,200; second place will receive $700 and third place, $500.

Budget friendly + delicious
The competition challenges entrants to create affordable, delicious casseroles using ingredients easily obtainable by food pantry guests. Entries must cost $5 or less per serving, be made in 60 or fewer minutes and include at least one ingredient from each of six categories: starch, sauce, protein, vegetable, topping and seasoning. Entry rules are on the Iowa State Fair’s website.

Nash Roe
Nash Roe
Raquel Gottsch Koehler
Raquel Gottsch Koehler
Nicole Tam
Nicole Tam
Dirk Pollitt
Dirk Pollitt

Celebrity
judges

This year’s contest judges include Nash Roe, baking entrepreneur and Food Network competitor; Raquel Gottsch Koehler, FarmHer Inc. owner and CEO; Dirk Pollitt, Nationwide Agribusiness vice president, who also serves on Food Bank of Iowa’s board of directors; Nicole Tam, KCCI-TV anchor/reporter; and one judge to be assigned by the Iowa State Fair.

Reigning champ
Last year’s first place winner was DeeDee Kennedy of Des Moines, whose Holy Moly Mostaccioli bake impressed the judges with its flavor, affordability and creative use of ingredients. Her recipe may be found in the “Food Bank of Iowa Chopped – Hot Dish Edition” cookbook online.

Special savings
On Sunday Funday, Aug. 18, receive $9 adult (ages 12 and over) fair admission with a donation of three cans of nonperishable food from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food Bank of Iowa staff and volunteers will accept donations at the fair gates and greet fairgoers on the Grand Concourse for fun and giveaways.

Food Bank of Iowa will again collect unused food from Iowa State Fair vendors at the close of this year’s fair.

About Food Bank of Iowa
Established in 1982, Food Bank of Iowa provides nutritious food for Iowa children, families, seniors and veterans to live full and active lives, strengthening their communities. Serving 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties, Food Bank of Iowa delivers more than 25 million pounds of food (21 million meals) to 700 partners annually. Learn more at foodbankiowa.org.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Media contact:
Annette Hacker, VP strategy and communications, Food Bank of Iowa, 515-867-2885, ahacker@foodbankiowa.org