Fareway Stores, Inc. has donated more than 69,000 pounds of ham – a total of 5,504 individual hams – to help feed Iowans facing food insecurity including Quad Citiians.
The donation, announced Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Des Moines, will be distributed through these three key food bank partners:
- The Food Bank of Iowa, Des Moines, which received 60% of the donation.
- Siouxland Food Bank, Sioux City (20%).
- River Bend Food Bank, Davenport (20%).
“Fareway is deeply committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve,” said Jeff Cook, vice president of Retail Market Operations at the Johnston, Iowa-based Fareway Stores, Inc. “We believe that everyone deserves access to quality food, and we are proud to work alongside our food bank partners to ensure these nutritious products reach Iowans who need them most.”
The donation includes a selection of premium products. That included classic half-size hams, spiral hams, and full-size carver hams.
The grocery chain applauded The Food Bank of Iowa, which hosted the donation event and announcement. The organization’s leadership, logistics expertise, and statewide reach ensure these hams – and many other essential food items – make their way into the homes of families who rely on food assistance, Fareway said in a news release after the event.
“This generous and unexpected gift of high-quality, delicious protein will fill more than 276,000 plates for Iowans facing hunger,” said Food Bank of Iowa CEO Tami Nielsen. “This is yet another example of Fareway’s commitment to hunger relief and its mission to Lead with Love. On behalf of more than 5,500 families who will receive these hams, thank you.”
Helping neighbors in need
River Bend Food Bank President & CEO Chris Ford also expressed his bi-state organization’s gratitude to Fareway. “Their generous donation of hams again this year strengthens our ability to provide nutritious food to families across our community. We appreciate Fareway’s longstanding support and their dedication to helping our neighbors in need,” Mr. Ford said.
Fareway is a Midwest grocer with 143 stores across seven states. That includes the Quad Cities region. Fareway believes food has the power to bring people together, strengthen families, and build healthier communities.
“This remarkable donation from Fareway ensures that families throughout Siouxland will have access to nutritious, high-value protein during the coldest months of the year,” said Jacob Wanderscheid, executive director of the Food Bank of Siouxland. “Their leadership and commitment to fighting hunger directly strengthens the food banks serving our state, and we are proud to be part of this collaborative effort.”
About River Bend
River Bend is a nonprofit organization. It leads the community-wide effort to end hunger in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. River Bend rescues, safely stores, and distributes nutritious food through a network of more than 400 hunger-relief partners across 23 counties. It’s part of the Feeding America network.
River Bend connects surplus food with local communities, ensuring children, families, and individuals have consistent access to the nourishment they need.
Fareway’s donation came a day after Mr. Ford issued a statement that said his staff was watching the partial government shutdown closely and preparing for the possibility of increased need among its recipients.
According to Feeding America, a brief shutdown should not be consequential to the operations of its 200 partner food banks nationwide. The shutdown came to a halt earlier this week. That’s less than four days after it began, the Government Executive website reports.
Mr. Ford warned “When people lose income, their ability to afford food is immediately at risk. After already enduring the longest full shutdown in our nation’s history just months ago, many families simply don’t have the cushion to weather another disruption.”
The fall 2025 shutdown and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) freeze caused hardship for millions. It also strained food banks across the nation. River Bend purchased 6 million meals to assist its hunger-relief partners across 23 counties.
“We stand ready to support anyone who needs help putting food on the table,” Mr. Ford added.
