A snazzy “new to us” refrigerated van has hit the streets of metro Des Moines to rescue unsellable but edible food and deliver it to food pantries as quickly as possible. Thanks to grants from the Partnership for a Hunger Free Polk County and Ruan Transportation, we were able to mobilize our new Agency Shopping Mobile in January. Look for a van, covered in food graphics, buzzing around town.

Each weekday morning, dedicated, passionate Food Bank of Iowa volunteers hit the road, stopping at three metro Hy-Vee stores to fill the van with food that would otherwise be dumped. Volunteers sort and deliver nutritious produce, dairy, and meat to local pantries that distribute the food immediately. With pantries taking only what they know they can distribute, we are mitigating food waste on both ends of the transaction.

The program is truly a win-win: Edible but unsellable food is saved from the landfill and Iowans in need have access to more of the food they need. Learn more and get involved at www.foodbankiowa.org/rescuevan.