Food Bank of Iowa Troubled by USDA Decision to End Its Annual ‘Household Food Security’ Report

“It, all of a sudden, says that tracking and fighting hunger is not a priority, apparently, at the federal level.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced its decision to end the Household Food Security Report during Hunger Action Month. A leader from the Food Bank of Iowa calls it another setback as they struggle to meet growing demand.

“It’s very troubling -- suddenly shelve a report that’s been trusted for three decades across multiple administrations,” said Annette Hacker, Chief Communications & Strategy Officer for the Food Bank of Iowa. “ It’s just…it’s disappointing, it’s troubling, and really it’s hard to understand. It, all of a sudden, says that tracking and fighting hunger is not a priority, apparently at the federal level.”

Regarding the reason for ending the annual report, the USDA cited the Household Food Security Report as “redundant” and “costly.” USDA officials also noted that the report was “politicized” as a means to justify significant increases in SNAP eligibility.

Hacker said the group will now consult Feeding America’s annual “Map the Meal Gap” report for its tracking, which comprises data collected by the group of 200 food banks located across the U.S.

Related Stories
All eyes will be on today’s Cattle on Feed Report, which analysts say could give a clearer picture of where the market goes next.
More than 100 pork producers traveled to Washington to meet with lawmakers and underscore the threat to small family farms.
For rural communities, this shift could mean new housing options for farmworkers and young families priced out of metro markets.
Sen. Roger Marshall, a founding member and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again caucus, joined us with his thoughts on the commission’s latest report and the key ag-related issues.
California rancher and former NCBA President Kevin Kester joined House Republicans on Tuesday to tout provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill that support family ranches.
The EPA proposal laid out two options: fully reallocate all exempted volumes to the 2026–2027 standards, or reallocate half.
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
Allowing year-round sales of E15 nationally could deliver billions in economic gains, according to a new study from the Renewable Fuels Association and National Corn Growers Association.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Iowa Ag Secretary Naig recaps discussions surrounding a potential federal aid package for farmers and shares insights on producer sentiment in the Heartland.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined RFD-TV to discuss coping strategies for those aching joints.
FarmHER Katey Jo Evans of The Frozen Farmer joins us for a sneak peek of the latest episode of Dirt Diaries: The FarmHER + RanchHER Podcast.
Winter weather will challenge livestock producers working to rebuild their herds despite harsh conditions.
As we gear up for the big event, Team BUBBA’s Brent Chapman of Kansas joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to talk preparation, teamwork, and the state of competitive bass fishing.
House lawmakers are expected to vote late this afternoon to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The bill they are voting on includes some big priorities for Rural America.