Transforming the Marketplace

Des Moines Area Religious Council

2017 Progress Report

Des Moines Area Religious Food Network is a Partnership for a Healthier America partner.

Year Committed: 2017

Length of Commitment: 3 years

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Committed to increase distribution over three (3) years of the produce category, including all forms of fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables, by thirty percent (30%), and implement Pilot Test I for a new Pantry 2.0 model that incentivizes healthy food choices.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
June 2020
Reporting Date
September 2017

Commitment Element
Increase distribution over three (3) years of the produce category, including all forms of fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables, by thirty percent (30%).
Progress To Date

Des Moines Area Religious Council distributed 1,231,068 pounds of produce at baseline in FY 2017. 19,908 households (48,558 individuals) received 150,970 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and 545,077 pounds of canned fruit and vegetables in the monthly food packages. An additional 535,021 pounds of fresh produce was distributed through the pantry network to an unknown number of individuals.

Partner Statement

“The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is working with Partnership for a Healthier America to increase the number of fruits and vegetables being served in the State of Iowa’s largest food pantry network. In our first year, DMARC distributed 686,000 pounds of fresh produce in addition to 545,000 pounds of canned fruits and vegetables. Most importantly, we began a pilot project aimed at integrating health and wellness services into the pantry setting with a focus on incentivizing the consumption of additional fresh and healthy foods. We are hopeful that pilot, which nudges people toward better nutrition by providing more food if consumers make healthier choices, will improve the eating habits and, ultimately, the health of our clients.”