Iowa Farm Bureau’s Real Farmers. Real Food. Real Meat. initiative brings authentic stories of environmental stewardship, animal care and nutritional benefits of meat and dairy products to Iowans.
Launched in 2019, the initiative has several consumer touchpoints. On the Real Farmers. Real Food. Real Meat. microsite consumers can learn more about Iowa farmers’ commitment to sustainability, animal care and providing nutritious food for families. Visitors to the site can also sign up for The Iowa Dish, a newsletter that features the Iowa farmers who work each day to provide safe, nutritious foods; quick bites on food safety, nutrition and foodie trends; and in-season recipes.
Partnership with Fareway Expands Campaign Reach
One of Iowa Farm Bureau’s strongest allies in the initiative is Fareway Meat & Grocery, an Iowa-based grocery store with outlets throughout the Midwest. For the past four years, Iowa Farm Bureau and Fareway have partnered for Meat the Need, which in 2025 included a donation of 23 pallets totaling 25,000 pounds of meat — the equivalent of 100,000 servings of nutritious protein for Iowans in need — to the Iowa Food Bank Association.
In late spring, Iowa Farm Bureau and Fareway cohost an educational contest called Sizzlin’ Summer Giveaway. By completing a short online quiz that highlighted the value of animal protein as well as farmers’ commitment to animal care and environmental sustainability, participants could win one $200 Fareway meat card from each of Fareway’s 119 Iowa locations. Fareway also awarded one grand prize winner a Pit Boss 2 Burning Griddle, a Fareway meat bundle and barbecue-related swag such as tumblers, folding chairs, grill accessories and more.
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