Annual Iowa Hunger Summit Gathers Leaders and Advocates from Across the State Discussing Pressing Hunger Issues

The World Food Prize Foundation will host its annual Iowa Hunger Summit on July 31, 2024. This free hybrid event will gather passionate community members and food-systems leaders from across the state, assembling to address the growing problem of food security locally and globally.

The theme of the Iowa Hunger Summit is Seeds of Nourishment: Elevating Iowa's Food Systems. The event spotlights each sector of the food supply chain, highlighting both the challenges and innovative solutions for cultivating improved food security. The conversation will elevate strategies for a more sustainable, hunger-free future through interactive breakout sessions, panels, keynotes, networking, exhibits and an award ceremony. Gathering farmers, consumers, policymakers, nonprofit leaders or entrepreneurs, this event provides valuable insights into building healthier communities and resilient food systems.

The Iowa Hunger Summit Luncheon will highlight the importance of local and nutritious food served in K-12 schools. The meal will proudly feature foods from local producers: Milo Locker Meats, Grimes Sweet Corn, AE Dairy and Cookies Food Products. With this special gathering, we celebrate the Iowa Local Food for Schools Program which allows Iowa schools to purchase locally grown food to nourish Iowa students. Showing their commitment to providing nutritious food to all Iowa children, community leaders will assist with the lunch "serving" duties.

Lunch Servers Include:

• Jim Blessman | President, Blessman International and 2024 Iowa SHARES Award Recipient

• Ambassador Terry Branstad | President, World Food Pride Foundation

• Kelly Garcia | Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

• Adreain Henry | President, Mercy College of Health Sciences

• Mashal Husain | Chief Operating Officer, World Food Prize Foundation

• Rachelle K. Keck | President, Grand View University

• Hon. Brian Lohse | Representative, Iowa House District 45

• Hon. Grant Menke | Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

• Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn | President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation

• Hon. Sami Scheetz | Representative, Iowa House District 78

• Paul Schickler | Chair, Council of Advisors, World Food Prize Foundation

• Courtney Shaw | Chief Communications Officer, Greater Des Moines Partnership

• Hon. Annette Sweeney | Senator, Iowa Senate District 27

• Steve Van Oort | County Supervisor, Polk County

Although The Iowa Hunger Summit is free to the public, advanced registration is encouraged. Media are invited and encouraged to attend the event. Register HERE.

View the event agenda HERE.

WHERE:

Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates

100 Locust Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

WHEN

July 31, 2024

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

TOPICS AND HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE:

• From Crop to Community: The "Farmer's Almanac" to a Food-Secure Future

• From Country to City: Combating Food Deserts Across Iowa

• From Surplus to Security: Ensuring Food Reaches Those in Need

• From Farm to Food Bank and Beyond: Collaborations through Choose Iowa

• Presentation of the Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award to Jim Blessman

• Breakout Sessions Hosted by Organizations Dedicated to Iowa Food Security

NOTABLE SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE:

• Hon. Kim Reynolds | Governor of Iowa

• Jim Blessman | President, Blessman International and 2024 Iowa SHARES Award Recipient

• Kelly Garcia | Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

• Hon. Brian Lohse | Representative, Iowa House District 45

• Hon. Grant Menke | Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

• Melissa O'Neil | CEO, Central Iowa Shelter and Services

• Michelle Kenyon | Executive Director, Field to Family

• Chris Schwartz | Executive Director of the Iowa Food System Coalition; Black Hawk County Supervisor, Black Hawk County

• Patty Sneddon-Kisting | Executive Director, Urbandale Food Pantry; Co-Chair, United Way OpportUNITY Food Insecurity Work Group

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