Listen now | In this episode, we unpack what Healthy Kids Iowa looks like on the ground. We speak with pantry leaders, parents, and advocates to understand how this new model is playing out across Iowa. Has it truly expanded access and autonomy? How is it working for the volunteers and pantries tasked with distribution? Are families receiving food in ways that meet their needs?
Great, Beth! This episode makes two good points: One, the (apparently unanticipated) increase in volunteer time/labor needed to gather and pack the food is huge; the time for the extra trip for recipient pick-up could be significant. Two, it seems that a great opportunity to utilize food produced by local growers is missed with the utilization of food apparently grown and packaged elsewhere.
Question, Beth.: Summer EBT served 240,000 Iowa kids, while "Healthy Kids Iowa" will serve 65,000 families. Are these roughly equivalent? I.e. Does each family served have about 3-4 kids?
Keep bringing us good information, Beth. It gives us facts to utilize when we contact our legislators!
I should not have used two different terms--they are both numbers of kids. 240,000 vs 65,000 kids. Thanks for pointing this out--I will change it in the discussion.
Thank you for educating us on the difference of the programs and what’s involved. Obviously the reason for our gov choosing to use “her” program is purely political. It does not matter to her that it may cause confusion and extra work.
What is bizarre/scary to me is that the governor does not seem to understand that if a family wants to buy "unhealthy" food, her program has now freed up money they were spending on the essentials being provided to purchase these unhealthy items. She doesn't seem to understand basic economics. Good thing she will be gone soon.
Great, Beth! This episode makes two good points: One, the (apparently unanticipated) increase in volunteer time/labor needed to gather and pack the food is huge; the time for the extra trip for recipient pick-up could be significant. Two, it seems that a great opportunity to utilize food produced by local growers is missed with the utilization of food apparently grown and packaged elsewhere.
Question, Beth.: Summer EBT served 240,000 Iowa kids, while "Healthy Kids Iowa" will serve 65,000 families. Are these roughly equivalent? I.e. Does each family served have about 3-4 kids?
Keep bringing us good information, Beth. It gives us facts to utilize when we contact our legislators!
I should not have used two different terms--they are both numbers of kids. 240,000 vs 65,000 kids. Thanks for pointing this out--I will change it in the discussion.
Thank you for educating us on the difference of the programs and what’s involved. Obviously the reason for our gov choosing to use “her” program is purely political. It does not matter to her that it may cause confusion and extra work.
Another easy to follow explanation of a complicated system. Thank you for shining light and showing some opportunties!
What is bizarre/scary to me is that the governor does not seem to understand that if a family wants to buy "unhealthy" food, her program has now freed up money they were spending on the essentials being provided to purchase these unhealthy items. She doesn't seem to understand basic economics. Good thing she will be gone soon.
This is food nonsense. A program showing no common sense.