John Deere Foundation Commits $18.5 Million to Farm-to-Plate Initiative
The John Deere Foundation has committed $18.5 million to its farm-to-plate initiative, aiming to increase the amount of local food reaching families facing hunger. Of this, over $13 million will directly support Iowa food banks, including the Food Bank of…
Des Moines Ames, IA, October 14, 2026 —
The John Deere Foundation has committed $18.5 million to a farm-to-plate initiative intended to increase the amount of locally produced food reaching families facing hunger.
More than $13 million of the commitment will directly support Iowa food banks, including the Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines. The funding is intended to help the organizations scale up purchases from local farms and expand access to fresh produce, proteins and dairy for Iowans experiencing food insecurity.
The initiative links food-bank support with purchases from nearby farms. The summary provided does not specify how many food banks will receive funding, how the money will be divided among them or which farms may participate. It also does not identify the initiative’s timeline or provide a target for the amount of food to be purchased or distributed.
The Foundation’s total commitment is $18.5 million, while the portion identified for direct support to Iowa food banks is more than $13 million. The summary does not explain how the remaining funds will be used. It also does not provide estimates of how many families could be reached or describe how the program’s results will be measured.
The stated aim is to increase the flow of local food to families facing hunger in Iowa, with food banks serving as the organizations supported to expand purchasing. Further details about implementation, funding allocations and timing were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Rachel Cramer on www.iowapublicradio.org, see more information here.
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