The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded more than $200,000 to 35 recipients in Food Storage Capacity grants, which helps organizations expand storage and cold storage of donated food items for distribution to food insecure Iowans.
Funding allows for the purchase of Energy Star refrigerators, Energy Star freezers, and shelving. These eligible items make it possible to accept additional food donations and to properly store additional perishable and non-perishable food items for longer periods. The increase in food storage capacity allows for well-rounded, nutritious meals for a greater number of Iowans.
“Without these improvements, many food pantries may have had to limit the amount of food a family or an individual could receive,” says Tom Anderson of the DNR’s Financial and Business Assistance program. “Expanding their capacity for food storage not only addresses these limitations, but also helps reduce the amount of edible food being landfilled by having a place to store food and extending food shelf life.”
A brief summary of each grant award is available here.
