Latest news with #HealthyKidsIowa
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
14 Healthy Kids Iowa program locations open in the metro
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Health and Human Services Healthy Kids Iowa program has begun to distribute food to families in need. The program is Governor Reynolds alternative to the Federal Summer EBT program. Iowa HHS has contracted with six food banks to distribute food to 258 sites across Iowa. The program allows eligible families to pick up $40 of food per child per month. Blake Willadsen, the Marketing and Communications Manager at Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry Network, said that the Healthy Kids Iowa program will make a big difference. 'It's going to make a huge difference for those families at a time when it's definitely needed,' Willadsen said. Willadsen said that DMARC will need additional volunteers for the Healthy Kids Iowa Program. 'Right now, the biggest challenge is just, you know, the logistics of operating another food pantry distribution, getting those materials that are needed, and just figuring out the little things like having an additional ten volunteers here for a Saturday afternoon, figuring out know how to staff that, how to store that food separately,' Willadsen said. To sign up to volunteer at DMARC, visit DMARC's website. Here are the locations of the 14 distribution sites in Polk County. Knock and Drop 4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310 June 11, July 9, & August 6: 3:30-6:00pm Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community 5870 Merle Hay Rd, Suite C, Johnston, IA 50131 Tuesdays: 9:00am-1:00pm & 4:00-6:00pm;Thursdays & Saturdays: 9:00am-1:00pm Urbandale Food Pantry 7901 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322 Mondays – Thursdays: 9:30am-6:30pm;Saturdays: 8:00am-12:00pm DMPS Capital View Elementary 320 E 16th St, Des Moines, IA 50316 June 17, July 3 & 17, & August 14: 3:00-4:00pm DMPS Weeks Middle School 901 E Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315 June 10 & 24, July 8 & 22, & August 12 & 26: 3:00-4:30pm DMPS Morris Elementary 1401 Geil Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315 June 12 & 26, July 10 & 24, & August 14 & 28: 1:00-2:30pm DMPS Roosevelt High 4419 Center St, Des Moines, IA 50312 Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00pm DMPS Garton Elementary 2820 E. 24th Street, Des Moines, IA 50317 June 17, July 1 & 15, & August 5 & 19: 2:45-3:45pm DMPS Monroe Elementary 3015 Francis Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310 June 19, July 3 & 17, & August 7 & 21: 12:30-2:00pm West Des Moines Human Services 139 6th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 Mondays & Thursdays: 8:30am- 3:00pm;Tuesdays: 8:30am- 3:00pm & 4:30-6:30pm;Wednesdays & Fridays: 8:30am-12:00pm Ankeny Northview Middle School 1302 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023 June 17, July 1, July 15, August 5, August 19: 9:30am-12:00pm Prairie Crossing Church 102 2nd Street NW, Mitchelle, IA 50169 June 10: 3:00-7:00pm; June 21: 10:00am- 3:00pm; July 8: 3:00-7:00pm; July 19: 10:00am- 3:00pm; August 5: 3:00-7:00pm; August 16: 10:00am-3:00pm Grimes Storehouse 112 NE Ewing St, Suite B, Grimes, IA 5011 Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:30-11:30am & 1st and 2nd Tuesdays of each month: 5:30-7:00pm DMARC-Ket Food Pantry 100 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month: 9:00am-12:00pm Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Reynolds receives USDA waiver to launch new summer feeding program, 'Healthy Kids Iowa'
President Donald Trump's administration has granted a waiver for Iowa to opt out of the federal government's summer feeding program and launch its own program to serve low-income kids during the summer months. Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, announced May 7 that Iowa has received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to launch a pilot program called "Healthy Kids Iowa" that will allow families to access $40 worth of food per child each month during June, July and August. Families may choose from a selection of foods offered at distribution sites around the state, which will be chosen in partnership with Feeding America food banks. "Our goal has always been to ensure all Iowa children have access to nutritious, balanced and wholesome food, while promoting healthy eating habits," Reynolds said in a statement. "I'm grateful to the USDA and Secretary (Brooke) Rollins for partnering with the state of Iowa and placing their trust in our statewide network of meal providers. Together, we're building on the strong foundation already in place to better meet the unique needs of Iowa's children and families." The program will run during June, July and August. Families are eligible if they earn below 185% of the federal poverty level, or about $59,500 for a family of four. Families must have children ages 4 to 18 to be eligible. A news release announcing the program says families "will be allowed to choose from a selection of nutritionally balanced foods" that include fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains and proteins. Annette Hacker, vice president of strategy and communications for the Food Bank of Iowa said they and their fellow Feeding America food banks are still working through the details of the program with HHS. "We appreciate the state's recognition of the high level of need for food access right now," Hacker said. "Healthy Kids Iowa will help to fill the meal gap for hardworking families, who despite their best efforts are challenged to feed growing kids home from school during the summer." Reynolds and her administration say Iowa's program will provide kids access to healthier foods than the regular Summer EBT program. "Healthy kids means a healthy Iowa, so let's make Iowa healthy again!" she said in a video posted on social media, adopting the slogan of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kelly Garcia, director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, also touted the program's emphasis on nutrition in a statement. "Healthier children are more likely to lead more successful lives," she said. "We must forge a new path and lead the way on promoting healthier lifestyles in our children, so they choose fruits and vegetables over unhealthy options. We are excited to partner with the regional food banks across our state to meet the unique needs of their communities." Separately, Iowa Republicans are considering legislation that would restrict the types of foods Iowans could buy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars, which they said would incentivize better eating habits. Those restrictions would also require federal approval. Reynolds for two years declined to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer EBT program while Democratic President Joe Biden was in office. Instead, she asked the federal government for a waiver so Iowa could use the federal funds to provide boxes of foods to families at pickup sites around the state. The Biden administration refused Reynolds' request. But Rollins praised Reynolds' approach in a statement. "With USDA's full support, Iowa is launching a new program to provide healthy foods to low-income, school-aged children during this summer break," Rollins said. "State-led innovation across all of USDA's nutrition programs is simply the right thing to do, and we are encouraging governors across the entire country to explore creative ways to provide food for those in need while also doing right by the American taxpayer." The Summer EBT program, known as Sun Bucks, provides families with electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards worth $120 per child that can be used to purchase groceries during the summer. Reynolds said Iowa received $12 million in USDA meal reimbursements for summer nutrition programs in 2023-24. Last year, she spent $900,000 to launch a competitive grant program to expand the number of sites around the state that provide summer meals to kids. She said that funding resulted in 61 new meal sites for a total of more than 500 around Iowa. Anti-hunger advocates have said Summer EBT is a proven way to help families afford food for their kids during the summer months because families can use their EBT cards at grocery stores and don't have to travel to get food from specific sites. In a statement, board members of the Iowa Hunger Coalition said they appreciate the additional resources to address food insecurity in Iowa, but they raised concerns that families could face barriers in accessing the new program and that it could strain food banks and other providers that are already experiencing record need. "One of the reasons the Summer EBT program has been so successful nationwide is it delivers benefits directly to families and ensures they can use additional summer food dollars in their communities," the board members said. "This has been especially important for rural communities who often struggle to easily access summer feeding sites and food pantries that can be geographically distant or only operate during typical working hours for parents." "We continue to believe that the best way to serve Iowa's low-income kids during the summer is through evidence-based USDA summer meal programs: summer meal sites, grab 'n go sites, and Summer EBT, or SUN Bucks," the group added. (This story has been updated to provide additional information.) Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@ or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller. This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds gets Trump waiver to start Summer EBT alternative in Iowa
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
All 99 Iowa counties face increased food insecurity, survey reports
DES MOINES, Iowa — Results released from an annual study show that all 99 Iowa counties reported increased food insecurity. Feeding America holds an annual Map the Meal Gap survey, which estimates food insecurity and costs for better resource allotment and cost estimation. A survey released Wednesday showed that every Iowa county reported increased food insecurity in 2023. The results show that 1 in 8 Iowans and 1 in 6 Iowa children endure food insecurity. The report states that an estimated 385,000 don't know where and when their next meal will come from. Unemployment insurance tax, other bills sent to Gov. Reynolds' desk Annette Hacker, Food Bank of Iowa Strategy and Communications Vice President, says these results are just confirming what they have already seen. 'We know there's no ceiling in sight for at least another couple of years because we have continued to see record numbers of Iowans facing hunger and coming to our partner pantries for food access in record numbers every single month since April of 2022,' said Hacker. Of the 99 counties, 11 have more than 20% of children reporting food insecurity. While more students qualify for free school meals each year, children face a several-month gap over the summer. 'That is shocking, and it should deeply concern all of us. We don't want to be a state where there's not enough food for our children. They are our future,' said Hacker. 'Also, the ten hardest hit counties in Iowa are largely rural, many in southeastern Iowa.' With the school year wrapping up, the Food Bank of Iowa is preparing for summer meal programs. The Governor's office and Food Bank are working together on her 'Healthy Kids Iowa' program, which provides $40 a month for children 4-18 years old who are below the federal poverty level. All 99 Iowa counties face increased food insecurity, survey reports Unemployment insurance tax, other bills sent to Gov. Reynolds' desk Bison baby boom! New stars bring visitors flocking to Neal Smith NWR Iowa veteran credited with ending the Vietnam War 50 years ago shares his story Iowa lawmaker believes DCI geofenced State Capitol to prep for sports betting investigation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Reynolds announces ‘Healthy Kids Iowa' summer program
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the launch a new project that will act as an alternative to the federal government's Summer EBT program. According to a press release Wednesday, Reynolds' office announced that that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approved the 'Healthy Kids Iowa' program. The summer initiative will provide families to select $40 dollars worth of fresh food per child each month at their local participating pantry. Those foods include fruits, vegetables, dairy items, whole grains, and proteins. Reynolds opted out of the federal Summer EBT program which provides low-income families with EBT cards worth $120 per child to buy groceries over the summer. In response to the USDA for approving the summer plan, Reynolds said in part, that she is glad the USDA is placing its trust into the state of Iowa. Read the full statement below. Story continues below 'Our goal has always been to ensure all Iowa children have access to nutritious, balanced and wholesome food, while promoting healthy eating habits. I'm grateful to the USDA and Secretary Rollins for partnering with the State of Iowa and placing their trust in our statewide network of meal providers. Together we're building on the strong foundation already in place to better meet the unique needs of Iowa's children and families.' Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds The release said that Iowa received over $12 million in USDA meal reimbursements for summer programs in 2023-2024. Meanwhile, Reynolds also invested an additional $900,000, which resulted in 61 new meal sites in 2024. Under the Healthy Kids Iowa Pilot Program: Households must meet the federal poverty level of 185% or below AND have children ages 4-18 in their care. Households will be allowed to choose from a selection of nutritionally balanced foods each month at their local participating pantry. Foods will include fruits, vegetables, dairy items, whole grains and proteins. The Healthy Kids Iowa pilot program will run during June, July, and August 2025. More information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa receives federal waiver for summer nutrition program
USDA approved a waiver from Iowa to implement its own program to distribute food to families in need over the summer. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA) The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the Healthy Kids Iowa demonstration project in lieu of the federal government's summer nutrition program for children, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday. A press release from the governor's office called the program an alternative to the federal program that will feed children 'healthier foods at a lower cost.' According to the release, Healthy Kids Iowa will leverage partnerships with summer feeding programs and community providers that have more than 500 access points across the state. In a video posted to her social media accounts, Reynolds said the program will allow eligible families to select $40 of 'fresh, nutritious food' each month from the access points. 'We're going to focus on easy to prepare meals for kids, without compromising nutrition,' Reynolds said in the video. The distribution sites will offer a selection of foods each month that are 'healthy and kid friendly' according to the press release. Families with children aged 4 to 18 and with household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level are eligible for the program. For a household of four, that represents an annual income of around $57,700 or lower. Access points are determined by Feeding America Food Banks that will identify 'areas of need' throughout Iowa. Families will apply for the program with The Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP, application. Iowa is one of only 11 states not participating in the federal program, known as SUN Bucks, this summer, according to USDA. The state also opted out of the program in 2024, and instead chose to expand the number of summer meal sites in the state. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins applauded Reynolds for what she called an 'historic step.' 'We are encouraging governors across the entire country to explore creative ways to provide food for those in need while also doing right by the American tax payer,' Rollins said in a video statement. According to Des Moines Area Religious Council, this $900,000 expansion in 2024 still left an estimated 54% of Iowa school districts without a meal site in 2024. The SUN Bucks program is also called the Summer EBT, or electronic benefits transfer, program because funds are distributed on EBT cards monthly, allowing recipients to shop at eligible stores. The SUN Bucks program provides $120 to families per eligible school-aged child during the summer. Children who qualify for free or reduced school lunches, or families who already participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are eligible for SUN Bucks. According to USDA in 2024 when the program launched, it represented a $100 million investment. Reynolds has opposed the federal SUN Bucks program for fear that it would lead to unhealthy food purchases and worsen childhood obesity. in August 2024, Iowa submitted a waiver request as part of an effort to implement a program similar to Healthy Kids Iowa, which the USDA denied. Reynolds said in November she would try again for a waiver, hoping for an outcome in her favor under the Trump administration. Food security advocates then urged the governor to instead apply for the demonstration project in tandem with the federally available program. Iowa Hunger Coalition, in a statement Wednesday, said it was concerned about the barriers Healthy Kids Iowa might place on families trying to access it, and on the 'feeding organizations who are already experiencing record-breaking levels of need.' 'We continue to believe that the best way to serve Iowa's low-income kids during the summer is through evidence-based USDA summer meal programs: summer meal sites, grab 'n go sites, and Summer EBT, or SUN Bucks,' the statement read. The coalition said the distribution of summer nutrition funds via EBT, per the SUN Bucks program, reaches families who live in rural communities or have working parents who might not be able to make it to a food pantry or feeding center during its operating hours. 'As further details are released about the Healthy Kids Iowa Pilot Program we hope these concerns are addressed to ensure that each and every child who qualifies is served and has their individual nutritional needs met by the program,' the statement read. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
