Ag Matters: Deere Invests $18.5M to the Food Bank System

The John Deere Foundation has announced an eighteen-point-five million dollar multi-year “Farm-to-Plate” initiative designed to tackle food insecurity across the region.

The investment will directly support Feeding America partner food banks while capturing edible, farm-grown food that might otherwise go to waste. As part of the rollout, the program will connect more than one hundred Iowa farmers directly with local food banks fighting hunger nationwide.

Deere Foundation President Taryn Edgin says the strategy focuses on strengthening the broader food system itself, linking Midwest production directly with families in need.

Edgin adds that the Farm-to-Plate initiative also encourages John Deere employees to roll up their sleeves, volunteering time to pack meals and directly support local hunger-relief efforts across the region.

While this is a nationwide push, Iowa is set to play a central role. Deanna Kovar, John Deere President of the Worldwide Ag & Turf Division for Production and Precision Ag , says three key food banks will expand their local partnerships—scaling up from 20 to more than 100 Iowa producers to directly supply hunger-relief efforts. 

For more information on the battle against food insecurity, visit feedingamerica.org.