The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign August 31st through September 14th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Feed Iowa First of Cedar Rapids. The campaign held in early September raised $1,013.
Feed Iowa First is a grass-roots community of businesses, faith organizations, schools, farmers, and volunteers that unite in relationship-based service to help neighbors “Combat Food Insecurity by Growing Food and Farmers.” The mission of Feed Iowa First is about making sure residents of Linn County, no matter their socioeconomic class, have access to healthy nutritious food. Access to good nutrition is vital to health, learning, longevity, and quality of life. Feed Iowa First has three programs through which they strive to accomplish this mission. These programs are “Grow, Don’t Mow”, Don’t Waste, Donate”, and “Grow Some Rows”. It is only through these vital partnerships of locally-grown and gleaned produce that enables Feed Iowa First to supply thousands of pounds of fresh produce to food pantries in Linn County. The produce that Feed Iowa First distributes is specifically grown for Linn County residents that are struggling with access to fresh, healthy, and affordable produce. Their produce is provided at no cost to patrons and no eligibility application is required.
To learn more about Feed Iowa First, check out www.feediowa1st.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Plus, check out a recent feature about Feed Iowa First and their response to the recent derecho weather event in Cedar Rapids. (Linn County organization sees need for fresh produce rise enormously in month after derecho.)
Located in downtown Decorah, Oneota Community Food Co-op is a cooperatively-owned grocery store specializing in local, organic, and sustainably produced products since 1974. For over four decades, the Co-op has been the leading provider of whole foods at a reasonable cost, with an emphasis on organic, local and bulk foods. The Oneota Co-op was recently named Outstanding Independent Grocery Store, Single Store, by Progressive Grocer Magazine. Stop in and see us at 312 West Water Street in Decorah, or online at www.oneotacoop.com.
Pictured in photo: (left to right) Hannah McCargar, Oneota Community Food Co-op, Tara Courtney, Oneota Community Food Co-op.