West Des Moines, Iowa – Throughout September, The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation’s Power Snack program distributed 24,000 pork sticks and 96,000 ham and bread coupons to 83 school districts in Iowa. In total, this investment worth $1 million will impact over 25,000 students and families in Iowa Select Farms’ “Homegrown Iowa” communities, where Iowa Select employees live and work.
Now in its 12th year, Power Snack empowers children to create their own nutritious “Power Snacks”: ham sandwiches made from high-quality deli ham and whole wheat bread. Each participating student receives coupons for 4 pounds of free deli ham and four loaves of whole wheat bread annually. These resources allow for the creation of 48 high-protein, filling Power Snacks per year, supporting the health and well-being of students. Ham is an excellent source of several essential vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, phosphorus, protein, zinc and potassium, all critical for growth and cognitive development.
Intended to be used as a quick snack during the school day, the Foundation also distributes pork sticks to schools. Located in nurses’ offices, counselors’ offices, main offices, and teachers’ classrooms, the sticks provide children easy access to protein when needed.
“Power Snack serves as part of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation and Iowa Select Farms’ long-standing commitment to Iowa’s children,” said Laura Noehren, Foundation Program Manager. “Every child deserves nutritious, filling meals, and we aim to bring meals to those who need them most through our hunger-fighting programs.”
An educator from Conrad, Iowa, commented about the program, “I have seen firsthand how being hungry can affect a student’s mood, motivation and ability to concentrate during the school day. If a student is sitting in class hungry, that is probably all they are focused on, not what the teacher is teaching. These Power Snacks have been a huge hit with my students and families, and I love being able to provide a healthy option to them when needed.”
According to the Iowa Department of Education, 42% of Iowa students, about 200,000 children, qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch programs. The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation helps bridge the gap through the Power Snack Program, providing students with healthy meals even when school is not in session. This initiative is crucial as school-based food assistance programs address immediate nutritional needs during school hours, yet food insecurity often persists during weekends and holiday breaks.
The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation fights hunger year-round. The Power Snack program follows the successful Haul Out Hunger initiative that took place this summer, donating a total of 33,864 pounds of ground pork to communities in need. Looking toward the holiday season, Iowa Select employees will visit communities across Iowa with the annual Operation Christmas Meal pork loin giveaway in December.
