Generations of Iowans celebrate summer and special occasions by putting meat at the center of their celebrations.  Innovation brings choices for the family table and helps Iowa continue to rank first in the nation in livestock farming.  To honor that success, IFBF and Fareway are launching a “Fill Your Freezer” sweepstakes at all Fareway stores throughout Iowa. The month-long campaign will feature free meat bundles valued at $200.

“Iowa’s livestock farmers work hard to ensure the overall health and care of the animal and the integrity of the food that comes from that animal, which is served to your family and mine. Showcasing that support is important, especially at a time when shoppers face so many choices to put on the family table,” says IFBF President and longtime livestock farmer, Craig Hill.

Iowans do continue to eat a lot of meat.  The 2019 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index® shows 96 percent of Iowa grocery shoppers eat meat at least weekly and 97 percent have cheese or dairy products at least once a week. 

“The popularity of real meat and the integrity of animal agriculture brought Iowa Farm Bureau and Fareway together,” said Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. “Fareway has a long history of providing only the best, highest quality meat for our customers, but we know that would not be possible without the many hard-working farmers.”

Experts agree that animal-based protein stands above the rest as the best option for health and weight maintenance. “Iowans have several options for protein in their diets today including vegetarian sources, but animal protein continues to be important because it is a high-quality or ‘complete’ protein containing all the essential amino acids,” says Ruth MacDonald, RD, PhD, Iowa State University professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. “Pork, for example, contains one of the highest amounts of protein per serving, and provides needed minerals like selenium, zinc, and iron and vitamins B12, B6, thiamin and niacin. Lean pork is a safe, affordable choice for adding protein to a healthy diet.”

Iowans who want a chance to fill their freezers with $200 in free meat, can visit www.iowafarmbureau.com/fillyourfreezer and select their local Fareway store. The contest runs from August 30 through September 30. There will be one winner from each Fareway store in Iowa.

To highlight the partnership, Iowa Farm Bureau has wrapped Fareway trailers featuring real Iowa livestock farm families with the message Real Farmers. Real Food. Real Meat.   On Friday, August 30, one of those trucks and the family portrayed, will be on-site at the Jefferson Fareway store in Greene county as farmers and Fareway leaders host an Iowa-raised barbeque between 4-7 p.m.  All proceeds from the event in Jefferson will go to a local food bank.