Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation Fights Childhood Hunger Powerfully
According to Feeding America, one in six children in Iowa are experiencing food insecurity. The Power Snack program is one way that the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is working to fight the issue in Iowa’s rural communities. For 13 years, school districts in Iowa Select Farms' Homegrown Iowa communities have partnered with the Foundation to distribute Power Snack coupons to children on Free and Reduced Lunch.
Each participating student receives coupons for four pounds of free deli ham and four loaves of whole wheat bread annually. These resources allow for the creation of 48 high-protein, filling Power Snacks per year, supporting students' health and well-being. Ham is an excellent source of several essential vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, phosphorus, protein, zinc, and potassium, all critical for growth and cognitive development.
Students receive a coupon booklet with four $8 ham coupons and four $3 whole wheat bread coupons to coincide with the long breaks in the school year. The Power Snack program is crucial as school-based food assistance programs address immediate nutritional needs during school days, yet food insecurity often persists during weekends and holiday breaks.
Intended to be used as a quick snack during the school day, the Foundation also distributes shelf-stable pork sticks to the schools. Located in nurses' offices, counselors' offices, main offices, and teachers' classrooms, the sticks provide children with easy access to protein when needed.
In total, 135,800 coupons and 28,000 pork sticks were distributed to 100 school districts for the 2025-2026 school year. The Power Snack program provided 33,950 students with the means to make 1,629,600 ham sandwiches.
Interested in supporting the Foundation's mission? Donate Here
Power Snack Program Fact Sheet for Teachers
Classroom Video--Shopping for Protein in a Small Town
Classroom Video--Shopping for Protein in a Small Town (Spanish)
Classroom Video--Shopping for Ham in a Hy-Vee
Classroom Video--Shopping for Ham in a Hy-Vee (Spanish)
Classroom Video--Ham and Cheese Kabobs
Classroom Video--Ham and Cheese Kabobs (Spanish)
Classroom Video--Ham and Cheese Charcuterie
Classroom Video--Ham and Cheese Charcuterie (Spanish)
Classroom Video--Scrambled Eggs and Ham in a Cup
Classroom Video--Scrambled Eggs and Ham in a Cup (Spanish)