Mike Naig
DES MOINES — Honor Harvest, a new food box program that will connect eligible Iowa veterans with fresh, locally grown food sourced exclusively from Choose Iowa members as part of a Food is Medicine pilot project, was launched recently, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Honor Harvest is a collaboration between the U.S. Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Rural Health, Iowa City VA Health Care System, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Choose Iowa program, and Field to Family Food Hub. The pilot is designed to improve access to healthy food for rural Iowa veterans living with diet-related chronic health conditions while creating new market opportunities for Iowa farmers and food businesses.
“Honor Harvest creates a meaningful new connection between Iowa veterans and Iowa farmers,” said Naig. “Good food is essential to wellness and healthy living, and this partnership will provide veterans with greater access to fresh, wholesome and nutritious food grown and raised right here in Iowa. At the same time, it creates new market opportunities for the family farms and food businesses that are Choose Iowa members. It’s Iowa farmers helping to serve Iowa veterans while supporting healthier lives and creating new market opportunities for Iowa agriculture.”
“The Iowa City VA Medical Center Honor Harvest program builds on prior work from the VHA Office of Rural Health to help address the nutritional needs of rural Veterans,” said Dr. Peter Kaboli, executive director, Veterans Health Administration Office of Rural Health. “Our goal is to further develop this collaborative model that supports both rural veterans and the agricultural communities in which they live.”
“We are proud to be a part of this initiative. This project highlights the best of Iowa — showcasing our commitment to our community and veterans while investing in Iowa food and farm enterprises,” said Michelle Kenyon, executive director of the Field to Family Food Hub. “Finding innovative ways to expand access to local foods is a top priority for Field to Family. As a food hub focused on cultivating a resilient community-based food system, partnering with local farmers to foster connections within the community is essential. The collaboration established between Field to Family, Choose Iowa and Veterans Health Administration Office of Rural Health will improve access to locally grown and produced foods.”
“The Honor Harvest program reflects our commitment to keeping veterans at the center as we explore new ways to support their health and well-being,” said Iowa City VA Health Care System Interim Executive Director Heath Streck. “We are proud to serve as the pilot site.”
The pilot will be implemented through the White Team Primary Care Clinic at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. The food boxes will be offered to eligible rural Iowa veterans receiving care through the Iowa City VA who live with medical conditions significantly impacted by diet, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is providing $24,000 to purchase fresh, locally grown produce, meat and dairy products from Choose Iowa members. Field to Family Food Hub will source, curate, aggregate, store, package and distribute the food boxes. A total of 40 eligible veterans will receive a weekly box of Iowa-grown food at the Iowa City VA Medical Center throughout the seven-week program.
