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World Food Prize Foundation announces more than 30,000 meals packaged for Iowans, relaunched Iowa Hunger Directory
At the 19th annual Iowa Hunger Summit, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation, Iowans united for a day of service and collaboration to address food and nutrition security challenges in their communities. This year’s theme, From The Ground Up, encouraged participants to explore how hunger and access to a healthy food system can impact people differently as a person grows—from early development, through school years to adulthood and aging—and to identify solutions that meet the needs of all.
Held throughout the day on July 16 at the Norman Borlaug Hall of Laureates in downtown Des Moines, the Iowa Hunger Summit brought together more than 400 registered attendees, gathered in their efforts to develop sustainable solutions to food insecurity across all stages of life. Creating lasting change demands a lifelong commitment to nutrition, from infancy to older adulthood and every stage in between.
“Here in Iowa—the land of abundance, of rolling fields and rich harvests—one in eight of our neighbors is facing food insecurity,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize. “One in six of our children doesn’t know where their next meal will come from. Iowa feeds the world—yet hunger still lingers in the shadows of our silos. While we can measure the ‘meal gap’ in millions, what we can’t quantify is the shame, the isolation, the slow erosion of hope that hunger brings.”
Hunger hits all types of people, from young to old, people struggling or pursuing their dreams. Just like opening speaker Wendi Lane, who, while working her dream job as TV news reporter, struggled to put food on her table.
“Hunger has many faces and many of them are hidden…I know, because I was one of them,” said Lane, now Director of Development for Blessman International. “I didn’t tell anyone I was struggling. I didn’t want to take anything from someone in need and I was ashamed and humiliated.”
It was a chance encounter at a food bank that changed her life. She said that whether it is in Iowa, or across the world, hunger can strike anywhere, but the solution is always the same: love, passion and dignity.
“All it takes to change a life is for someone to stop and say to them, this is for you,” Lane said.
Giving Back: 30,000+ Meals for Iowans, by Iowans
As the afternoon session began, Iowans showed they cared as a line formed on the steps of the Hall of Laureates, where the Foundation welcomed approximately 200 volunteers who worked in assembly-line fashion to package 32,616 meals in just one hour. That is enough meals to feed 125 children for an entire year.
“The reason I personally [came today] is that there are people out there in need, from all walks of life,” said volunteer Famous Rucker, President of the Zeid Temple No. 90 in Des Moines. “[Zeid Temple] does this three or four times a year ourselves, and it's just a good cause, a way to fellowship and bring people together.”
The meals packaged during the Iowa Hunger Summit will be distributed through DMARC’s Food Pantry Network directly to Iowans in need. This meal packaging effort wouldn’t have been possible without our partnership with Meals from the Heartland and sponsorship from Hy-Vee.
The Iowa Hunger Directory Comes Back For Seconds
Announced by CEO Tom Vilsack during the Iowa Hunger Summit Luncheon, the World Food Prize Foundation is proud to reveal the return of the Iowa Hunger Directory next year. The Iowa Hunger Directory is an initiative to profile all organizations fighting hunger from Iowa, serving as a comprehensive platform for those seeking to engage and collaborate in this area.
“We are dedicated to work with partners to end hunger both locally and globally, and that is why we are excited today to announce the relaunching of the Iowa Hunger Directory in 2026,” Vilsack said. “With updated profiles and features this Hunger Directory will better connect hunger-fighting organizations at home and amplify the great work that is being done across communities in our great state. The goal is to strengthen partnerships and make it easier for individuals and organizations to find support, to share resources and to collaborate.”
The Iowa Hunger Directory is a neutral, non-partisan forum for collaboration and the World Food Prize Foundation welcomes fellow hunger-fighting organizations to make sure their information is updated and refreshed.
Fifteen Iowa Organizations Join the Movement
Fifteen Iowa organizations have signed on to the Laureate Letter, aligning with its call for urgent investment in innovation to end hunger and strengthen global food systems. Representing a cross-section of industry, education and nonprofit sectors, these signers bring practical experience and regional insight to a growing coalition committed to advancing sustainable, collaborative solutions. They are:
- Agri Drain Corp
- Blessman International
- Dallas County Farm Bureau Federation
- Des Moines Area Community College
- Drake University
- EcoEngineers
- Insta-Pro, International
- Iowa Biotechnology Association
- Iowa Soybean Association
- Meals from the Heartland
- North Central Poultry Association
- Seed Savers Exchange
- Self-Help International
- Sukup Manufacturing
- Tero International, Inc.
Their support reflects the broad and increasing momentum behind efforts to meet the challenges of food insecurity and the World Food Prize Foundation thanks them for their commitment.
The Iowa Hunger Summit is a free, public event held annually, bringing together hundreds of food security leaders from across our state. It would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors: Mary and Brian Lohse Family, Prairie Meadows, Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Hy-Vee, Inc., Bruce W. Gerleman of Jethros’ BBQ, Robust Catering Services, Fareway Stores, Inc. and Anderson Erickson Dairy.