Power Snack visits Nashua-Plainfield CSD

posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2018

“Students in our building are between the ages of 3 and 12, which is an extremely important time when their bodies are growing,” said Michelle Arneson-Havenstrite, Principal at Nashua-Plainfield Elementary. “They need food to grow and learn.”

As farmers and pork producers, Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation are passionate about supporting hunger-relief efforts, particularly those directed towards children. Which is why Power Snack, a program supported by both organizations that provides ham and bread coupons for at-risk children, has seen substantial growth in recent years.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to rural Iowa, Power Snack has grown by nearly 14,000 children since 2012,” said Allyson Ladd, communication specialist at Iowa Select Farms. “The goal of the program is to empower children in food insecure homes by teaching them how to get to the store, shop for nutritious food covered by the coupons and make their own Power Snack.”

80 students at Nashua-Plainfield Elementary will receive Power Snack coupons—a contribution valued at $2,560 and enough supplies to make 2,880 ham sandwiches.

“We are so excited about this program because it will provide HEALTHY snack options for students who need it most,” continued Michelle. “It’s very exciting for us, our students and their families.”

Four times throughout the school year, students enrolled in the program will receive a $5 coupon for a pound of shaved ham and a $3 coupon for a loaf of whole wheat bread. Coupons can be redeemed at most local grocery and convenience stores.

In total, Power Snack will provide 23,267 children across 127 schools with 837,612 meals—a 23 percent increase from 2017 and contribution valued at $744,544.