Feed Iowa First
Feed Iowa First is a Cedar Rapids-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that combats food insecurity in Linn County by operating urban and rural farms, distributing fresh produce via the Veggie Van and partner channels, and supporting emerging immigrant and refugee farmers through its Equitable Land Access program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersCedar Rapids, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Feed Iowa First does
Feed Iowa First is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that addresses food insecurity in Linn County by growing and distributing culturally relevant fresh produce while building local farming capacity. Its core operational stack comprises urban farms across Marion and Cedar Rapids plus an 11-acre rural site at Wanatee Farm, employing season-extension techniques (hoop houses, high tunnels) and, at some partner sites, hydroponic growing, all without chemical pesticides or herbicides. Distribution is anchored by the Veggie Van mobile program and a multi-channel partner network (local food pantries, community fridges, low-income apartments, health clinics via the Produce Prescription program, and HACAP Food Reservoir), reaching approximately 59,000 community members annually.
The organization's program portfolio centers on three pillars: the Grow, Share, Nourish urban farming umbrella (formerly Grow Don't Mow, rebranded August 2025); the Equitable Land Access program, which runs a Farm Business Incubator at Wanatee Farm and Community Agriculture plots at partner churches for immigrant and refugee gardeners; and the Don't Waste Donate gleaning program that rescues surplus produce. In 2024 the organization grew over 43,000 pounds of produce and in 2025 distributed 30,677 pounds directly through Veggie Van while supporting 3 emerging farm businesses and 33 community gardeners.
Revenue is sourced entirely from charitable contributions: individual donations, corporate sponsorships and matching programs (Collins Aerospace at 100% match, ADM, Alliant Energy, ITC, New Pioneer Co-op), foundation and government grants (including a $25,000 Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation grant in May 2025 and AmeriCorps VISTA positions via Nourish Iowa), in-kind produce donations (notably from Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center and Hilltop Greens), and the annual Global Graze fundraising event. The organization is governed by a Board chaired by Sabrina Anderson, with leadership including Interim Executive Director Alora Kraus, Distribution Director Jill Gretter, Farm Operations Manager Jeff Knipper, Urban Farm Manager Isabel Schmidt, and Founder Sonia (deceased 2019). Operations are supported by a small staff (1–10) and over 200 recurring volunteers.
Feed Iowa First firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Feed Iowa First
- Legal name
- Feed Iowa First
- Website
- https://feediowa1st.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Feed Iowa First is a Cedar Rapids-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that combats food insecurity in Linn County by operating urban and rural farms, distributing fresh produce via the Veggie Van and partner channels, and supporting emerging immigrant and refugee farmers through its Equitable Land Access program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Feed Iowa First industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Food Security Services
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (624210), Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141)
- SIC
- Agricultural Production-Crops (100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) / Vertical Farming (Indoor LED Farms) (AFAGAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Feed Iowa First is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cedar Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Feed Iowa First business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals via check, PayPal, or Facebook fundraiser. No products are sold; the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused entirely on charitable mission.
- Corporate Sponsorships and Matching: Corporate sponsors for events (Global Graze) and employee donation matching programs. Companies including Collins Aerospace (100% match), ADM, Alliant Energy match employee donations.
- Foundation and Government Grants: Grant funding from foundations and government programs including AmeriCorps VISTA positions supported through Nourish Iowa program.
- Produce Donations: Accepts donations of seeds, plants, and chemical-free produce from farms and gardens for redistribution to food-insecure community members.
- Fundraising Events: Annual signature events like Global Graze that raise funds for the Equitable Land Access Program while celebrating local farmers and chefs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Feed Iowa First product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Feed Iowa First grows, rescues, and distributes culturally relevant fresh produce to food-insecure community members in Linn County, Iowa through urban farms, an 11-acre rural farm (Wanatee), and the Veggie Van mobile distribution program. It also operates the Equitable Land Access Program and Farm Business Incubator that provide land access, infrastructure, training, and mentorship to emerging and historically underrepresented farmers in the region. All services and produce are provided free of charge to recipients, supported by donations, sponsorships, grants, and in-kind contributions.
Product overview
Feed Iowa First is a nonprofit organization offering community-based food security programs rather than a traditional technology product. The organization operates several interconnected programs: the Veggie Van/Produce Distribution system that delivers fresh produce to food-insecure households; the Grow, Share, Nourish urban farming initiative encompassing urban farms and Wanatee Farm; the Equitable Land Access Program including the Farm Business Incubator and Community Agriculture plots supporting emerging farmers; produce gleaning and prescription programs; and the annual Global Graze fundraising event. These programs work together to grow, rescue, and distribute culturally relevant vegetables while building local farming capacity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Veggie Van / Produce Distribution Mobile produce distribution program that delivers fresh, locally-grown vegetables directly to food-insecure community members across Linn County, including Veggie Van stops reaching approximately 1,550 people directly, plus distributions through partner pantries supporting approximately 59,000 community members annually. Provided free of charge to recipients.
- Grow, Share, Nourish (formerly Grow Don't Mow)
Quantifiable outcome
- Distributes 30,000-40,000 lbs of fresh produce annually to food-insecure community members
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Feed Iowa First
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Feed Iowa First technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Feed Iowa First partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Rodale Institute Midwest Organic CentercoreLocated at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm in Marion, Iowa. Rodale donates approximately 6,000 pounds annually of eggplant, sweet peppers, and winter squash. Partnership includes regenerative organic farming education, research, and diversification while promoting food equity. Rodale is a leader in regenerative organic agriculture and community food support.
- Hilltop GreenscoreInnovative hydroponic farm in Dyersville, Iowa growing lettuce year-round. Donated approximately 2,400 lbs of fresh lettuce during January-February period. Also grows strawberries, kale, and basil indoors without herbicides or insecticides. Donations enabled fresh lettuce distribution to over 20 local pantries, food banks, and community kitchens.
- Cedar Hills Community ChurchcoreHosts 39 garden plots for immigrant community members through Community Agriculture program. All plots are cultivated by immigrants who grow culturally relevant produce. Bruce Boldt serves as site ambassador.
- St. Andrew Lutheran ChurchcoreCommunity Agriculture site hosting gardeners. Site for urban farm operations and volunteer activities including potato research trials.
- Buffalo United Methodist ChurchcoreCommunity Agriculture site hosting gardeners. Elouth Imani previously farmed here before expanding to Wanatee Farm.
- New Pioneer Co-opmajorProvided generous sponsorship for Global Graze event, including stipends for participating restaurants.
- ITCmajorCorporate sponsor for Global Graze 2025 event.
- Alliant EnergymajorCorporate sponsor for Global Graze 2025 event. Also on employee donation matching list.
- HACAP Food ReservoircoreRegional food bank partner. Nupolu's Emerging Farms (Equitable Land Access graduate) sells produce through HACAP.
- Field to FamilycoreLocal food hub. Nupolu's Emerging Farms (Equitable Land Access graduate) sells produce through Field to Family.
- Eastern Iowa Health CliniccoreHealthcare partner for produce distribution addressing nutrition security.
- Practical Farmers of IowaminorPartnership for potato research trials. Isabel (Urban Farm Manager) leading trials through Practical Farmers of Iowa to compare early vs. late planting yields.
- Cedar Rapids Metro Economic AllianceminorFeed Iowa First became a member in 2025 to expand farmers' networks and local food partnerships.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Feed Iowa First competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HACAP Food Reservoir: Regional food bank serving the Linn County / East Central Iowa area and an active Feed Iowa First partner (Nupolu's Emerging Farms sells through HACAP). Directly comparable as a community food access organization operating in the same geography and donor pool.
- Big Green: Builds food gardens in schools and communities to increase access to fresh food. Highly comparable to Feed Iowa First's Community Agriculture program and 20+ urban growing sites across Marion and Cedar Rapids.
- New Entry Sustainable Farming Project: Farmer incubator in Massachusetts providing land access, training, and market development for beginning and immigrant farmers. Most direct analog to Feed Iowa First's Equitable Land Access and Farm Business Incubator at Wanatee Farm.
- Society of St. Andrew: National gleaning-based food rescue organization that salvages fresh produce from farms for distribution to the hungry. Directly comparable to Feed Iowa First's 'Don't Waste Donate' gleaning program in both model and mission.
- DC Central Kitchen: Combines food distribution with culinary job training; closely parallels Feed Iowa First's dual model of addressing immediate food insecurity while developing farmers and growers in underserved communities.
- Food Bank of Iowa: Iowa's largest statewide hunger-relief organization distributing food through partner agencies. Closely comparable mission and distribution model (food bank/pantry partnerships) scaled to a broader Iowa geography.
- Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit that increases access to affordable, healthy, locally-grown produce via produce-prescription and incentive programs. Highly comparable to Feed Iowa First's Produce Prescription program and Veggie Van distribution model.
Emerging players
- Misfits Market: Subscription produce box company that rescues surplus and imperfect produce for redistribution. Shares Feed Iowa First's food-rescue value proposition but operates nationally as a for-profit subscription model.
- Imperfect Foods: Subscription produce box company focused on rescuing 'cosmetically imperfect' and surplus produce. Comparable to Feed Iowa First's produce rescue mission (Don't Waste Donate), though operating as a commercial enterprise rather than a nonprofit.
Broad incumbents
- AeroFarms: Industry-leading indoor vertical farm operator using hydroponics and controlled environment agriculture. Comparable to Feed Iowa First's indoor hydroponic growing at the Cedar Rapids shop location and use of hoop houses/high tunnels for season extension.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Feed Iowa First social profiles
Digital presenceFeed Iowa First financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Feed Iowa First leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Feed Iowa First funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Feed Iowa First M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Feed Iowa First
What does Feed Iowa First do?
Feed Iowa First grows, rescues, and distributes culturally relevant fresh produce to food-insecure community members in Linn County, Iowa through urban farms, an 11-acre rural farm (Wanatee), and the Veggie Van mobile distribution program. It also operates the Equitable Land Access Program and Farm Business Incubator that provide land access, infrastructure, training, and mentorship to emerging and historically underrepresented farmers in the region. All services and produce are provided free of charge to recipients, supported by donations, sponsorships, grants, and in-kind contributions.
Is Feed Iowa First a public or private company?
Feed Iowa First is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Feed Iowa First founded?
Feed Iowa First was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Feed Iowa First based?
Feed Iowa First is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Feed Iowa First make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and Matching, foundation and Government Grants, produce Donations and fundraising Events.
Who are Feed Iowa First's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HACAP Food Reservoir, Big Green, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, Society of St. Andrew, DC Central Kitchen, Food Bank of Iowa and Wholesome Wave. Emerging players are Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods. AeroFarms is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Feed Iowa First have an API?
No public API is recorded for Feed Iowa First.
What industry is Feed Iowa First in?
Feed Iowa First's product category is Community Food Security Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAD, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative), with a secondary code of BPAGAGAI, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems. Its NAICS code is 624210 and its SIC code is 100.