A total of 24-thousand pork loins were given away recently as part of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation’s annual “Operation Christmas Meal.”
The event has provided more than two-million Christmas meals to nearly 690-thousand Iowa families over the last 13 years. This year from December 1st through the 14th, “Operation Christmas Meal” donated 24-thousand boneless pork loin roasts at 23 different events across Iowa with the help of more than 250 employee volunteers. More than 60 tons of pork were donated this year.
Storm Lake Radio staff members handed out pork loins on December 8th in Alta, Pocahontas, and Sac City. “Operation Christmas Meal” events were also held in Holstein, Ida Grove, and Rockwell City.
In addition, the “Ignite The Spirit” program awarded cases of pork loins and 500 dollars in cash to nearly 80 local FFA, 4-H, and school-based organizations throughout the counties where Iowa Select Farms has employees and farms. The donations and event kits helped youth organizations host a community meal, organize and distribute holiday food baskets, or develop their idea for providing a meal to families in need.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, families saw a 9.5 percent increase in meat prices at the grocery store from 2021 to 2022 and saw additional increases in 2023.
