You may qualify for one or more of these programs that makes it easier to buy healthy foods:
SNAP
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides extra money for groceries to help buy food while money is tight.
In Iowa, click here to learn if you are eligible.
Outside of Iowa, click here to find your state to see if you are eligible.
School Meals
School Meals are available at free or reduced prices to children ages 18 and under.
Call or visit your child's school to see if you're eligible and to apply.
Food Pantries and Distributions
Food Pantries and Distributions provide free food to community members who are experiencing hunger. Food banks are big warehouses that provide food to local organizations called food pantries.
In Iowa, call 211 to find your nearest food pantry.
Outside of Iowa, find your nearest food bank here, then call or search your zip code to find local pantries.
Congregate Meals
Congregate Meals are available for adults ages 60 and older. Services are resuming on-site as congregate meals or home-delivered meals may be available for individuals who are homebound.
In Iowa, find meals in your county here or call 211.
Outside of Iowa, find nearby meal providers here.
Double Up
Food Bucks
Double Up Food Bucks gives you $1 in Double Up Food Bucks for every $1 you spend on any fresh fruits and vegetables with your SNAP EBT card.
In Iowa, find a Double Up Food Bucks location near you here.
Outside of Iowa, see if your state has this program and find participating grocery stores and Farmer's Markets near you here.
Blog Posts
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Black Bean Brownies
This fall and winter we have some fun, new Spend Smart. Eat Smart. recipes to share with you. The first is Black Bean Brownies. Last year our intern, Jill, got us started on this recipe. We enjoyed sitting around our table at work to taste and talk about the different versions of this recipe as…
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Family Favorites: Meal Planning Help when Life is Busy
School is in full swing and you know what that means…trying to figure out what to feed my family when we have an activity almost every evening. From dance to volleyball to football we are on the go like many other families. To help ease the stress of evening meals I like to do weekly…
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Hands on Learning Can Get a Little Messy
When my daughter and son were little, we spent time making cookies and memories. Along the way there were messes but also great learning experiences. I now enjoy teaching Kindergarten through 8th grade students nutrition lessons at afterschool programming for ISU Extension and Outreach. We learn how to make nutritious snacks together. My Grandma used…
