The Iowa Hunger Coalition has set the following policy priorities for the 2025 state of Iowa legislative session:
Ensure Iowa’s annual participation in the Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) program
Make improvements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Raise income eligibility for SNAP to 200% of the federal poverty level
- Reduce barriers in the application and recertification process through state options, such as repealing the asset test and participating in the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP)
- Provide state investment in the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program to incentivize the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants
- Ensure benefit adequacy through a state-funded $50 minimum benefit
Provide Healthy School Meals for All in Iowa
- Increase access to free, high-quality school meals for K-12 students in Iowa
- Support investment in school kitchen infrastructure and staff upskilling
Build on the success of the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Pilot Project
- Increase local purchasing matching funds to food banks and schools, and expand efforts to include food pantries, early child care centers, senior centers, and other emergency feeding organizations