Support the 2024 CampaignVeggie Vouchers are only possible through grants and donations. You can make an impact on the nutrition security of our community by contributing to our current Veggie Voucher Campaign. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by June 6, which will help us serve an additional 200 families this growing season.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from Goli and Russell Buchanan, every dollar donated—up to the next $2,000—will be matched, doubling your impact!
👉 Support us today 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 that 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 marked a major milestone:
Many food assistance programs—like SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, and food pantries—operate within strict federal guidelines. While effective, these often exclude individuals who don’t meet eligibility requirements but still experience food insecurity.
The Veggie Voucher Program fills this gap by giving partner sites the flexibility to distribute vouchers to those most in need, without extensive paperwork or proof of eligibility.
Transportation and mobility are also major barriers to food access. To address this, the program partners with WeArose and Peoples Clinic delivery programs, ensuring homebound seniors and others with limited transportation can still participate.
A 2022 survey of Veggie Voucher recipients highlighted the program’s demographic reach:
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 program’s success is made possible by strong local partnerships with:
Food insecurity remains a serious issue—Black Hawk County ranks 17th highest in Iowa for food insecurity (9.9% overall, 15.4% among children). As economic challenges persist, innovative programs like Veggie Vouchers are more essential than ever.
By focusing on accessibility, flexibility, and community collaboration, the Veggie Voucher Program provides a sustainable model for addressing food insecurity while supporting the local food economy.
Whether you’re a farmer, community advocate, or supporter of local food access, the Veggie Voucher Program offers real ways to make a 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.
