MOLINE, Ill. (RFD-TV) — The John Deere Foundation is committing more than $18 million to help stock Midwest food pantries and strengthen connections between farmers and food banks.
The initiative includes $17 million for Feeding America and $1.5 million for The Farmlink Project over the next three years.
Taryn Edgin with the John Deere Foundation says the effort is focused on improving access to food already being produced.
“America does not have a food shortage problem. It has a food access problem, and every year, 31 billion pounds of food go unharvested on farms. Yet we only need 11 billion pounds to close the nation’s food insecurity gap. This commitment provides 17 million dollars to Feeding America and $1.5 million to The Farmlink Project over the next three years. Together, these investments will help recover surplus food, expand access to nutritious meals, and create stronger connections between farmers and food banks.”
The effort will also expand opportunities for farmers. The foundation says three Iowa food banks will grow their partnerships from 20 farmers to more than 100.
