Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” report found nearly one in eight Iowans faced food insecurity two years ago and nearly 18 percent of them were children. The Food of Bank of Iowa distributes food to 55 counties and operates 190 food pantries in schools. Nielsen says due to rising food prices and the rising need, the Food Bank of Iowa spends as more money each MONTH buying food than it did the entire year of 2019. The “Map the Meal Gap” report shows one in four children in Appanoose, Crawford, Montgomery and Wapello Counties faced hunger and in 14 other counties over 20% of children were food insecure in 2024. It also found 30% of black Iowans and 24% of Hispanics experienced hunger during 2024.