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DES MOINES -- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the launch of 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 an innovative Food is Medicine pilot project.
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.
"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 Peter Kaboli, MD, 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.
"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 and grateful for the collaboration that will connect Veterans with fresh, locally produced foods."
The innovative 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 7-week program.