Veggie Vouchers are only possible through grants and donations.You can make an impact in the nutrition security of our community by making a donation to our current Veggie Voucher Campaign. Our goal of raising $10,000 by June 6 will help us serve an additional 200 families this growing season.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from Goli and Russell Buchanan, each dollar raised—up to the next $2,000—will be matched, doubling your impact!
Support us today by making a gift at foundation.uni.edu/give-ceee.
Since 2016, the Veggie Voucher Program has played a vital role in increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for underserved communities in Black Hawk County. By directly supporting local farmers and ensuring vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food, the program strengthens both food security and the local food economy.
The Veggie Voucher Program is a locally financed initiative that provides $5 vouchers to clients through a network of community partners, including health clinics and non-profits. These vouchers can be redeemed at local farmers markets and farm stands during the growing season, making fresh, healthy food more accessible. Farmers and food producers who accept the vouchers are reimbursed through the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy & Environmental Education (UNI-CEEE), ensuring that local agriculture benefits alongside program participants.
Since its inception, $118,000 worth of locally grown fruits and vegetables have been purchased through the program, serving 3,114 families and investing nearly $98,000 in local food producers.
The 2024 season was the most successful yet:
Many existing food assistance programs, such as SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, and food pantries, operate within strict federal guidelines. While effective, these programs often exclude individuals who may not meet eligibility requirements but still struggle with food insecurity. The Veggie Voucher Program bridges this gap by giving host sites the flexibility to distribute vouchers to those most in need, without the burden of extensive paperwork or proof of eligibility.
Additionally, transportation and mobility are common barriers to food access. To address this, Veggie Vouchers partners with WeArose and Peoples Clinic delivery programs to ensure that homebound seniors and others with transportation challenges can still benefit from the program.
A recent survey of Veggie Voucher recipients highlights the program’s wide-reaching impact:
The Veggie Voucher Program doesn’t just help families—it strengthens the local food system. In 2024, 29 local farms participated, benefiting from increased demand for their produce. By injecting direct financial support into small farms, the program fosters sustainable agriculture and helps local businesses thrive.
The success of Veggie Vouchers is made possible by strong partnerships with local organizations, including:
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue, with Black Hawk County ranking 17th highest in Iowa for food insecurity (9.9% overall, 15.4% among children). As inflation and economic challenges continue, innovative programs like Veggie Vouchers become even more essential.
By focusing on accessibility, flexibility, and community collaboration, the Veggie Voucher Program offers a sustainable model for addressing food insecurity while strengthening local food systems. As the program grows, it continues to fill critical gaps where other assistance programs may fall short.
Join the MovementWhether you’re a farmer, a community advocate, or someone looking for ways to support local food access, the Veggie Voucher Program provides opportunities to make a real difference.
To learn more, get involved, or support the program, contact Kathryn Gilbery at UNI-CEEE (kathryn.gilbery@uni.edu) or visit foundation.uni.edu/give-ceee.
Together, we can ensure that fresh, healthy food is within reach for all—while supporting the farmers who feed our communities.
