World Food Prize Foundation Marks 20 Years of the Iowa Hunger Summit with New Initiatives to Strengthen Iowa Food Security

The World Food Prize Foundation welcomed hundreds of Iowans today to the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates for the annual Iowa Hunger Summit, convening nonprofit leaders, farmers, educators, elected officials, business leaders, students and advocates committed to advancing food and nutrition security across Iowa.

This year's Iowa Hunger Summit marked two decades of bringing together the people and organizations working to ensure every Iowan has access to nutritious food. Held under the theme "Linking Arms, Feeding Communities," attendees participated in keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities focused on strengthening Iowa's food system, expanding access to nutritious food and building partnerships that create lasting solutions.

"The vision for the Iowa Hunger Summit became a reality in October 2006, when Governors Tom Vilsack, Terry Branstad and Robert Ray joined together to announce they would co-chair an unprecedented statewide gathering of Iowa's hunger-fighting organizations," said Amb. Kenneth Quinn, President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation. "That vision was realized the following year, when Governor Chet Culver joined Governors Vilsack, Branstad and Ray, together with Dr. Norman Borlaug, to launch the first Iowa Hunger Summit. Now, as we mark its 20th anniversary, it is most fitting that we recall their stirring bipartisan leadership, which drew its initial inspiration from the Iowa SHARES campaign to assist starving refugees abroad and which continues to encourage Iowans to confront and strive to eliminate hunger here at home."

Building on the announcement of its return in 2025, the Foundation officially relaunched the Iowa Hunger Directory. The revitalized resource now features more than 80 organizations working to address hunger across Iowa and serves as a centralized platform where nonprofits, food banks, pantries, schools, government agencies, faith organizations, community groups and volunteers can connect, share resources and strengthen collaboration.

"Hunger may touch every corner of our state, but so does Iowa's willingness to help a neighbor," said Tom Vilsack, Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation. "The Iowa Hunger Directory brings together the organizations, communities and volunteers working every day to ensure no Iowan goes hungry. I encourage every organization serving families across our state to join this growing network so we can strengthen our partnerships, share resources and make it easier for every Iowan to find the support they need."

The Foundation recognized the next generation of hunger fighters with the presentation of the inaugural World Food Prize Foundation Ambassador Terry Branstad Scholars in STEM Award, a $5,000 scholarship recognizing an outstanding Iowa high school senior pursuing a STEM degree and demonstrating leadership in agriculture and innovation.

The inaugural recipient, Hannah Hagen, is a Borlaug Scholar through the Iowa and Global Youth Institutes. She has researched and presented on food security challenges in Malawi and Kenya while developing science-based solutions focused on animal health and sustainable agriculture. She will attend Iowa State University this fall to study Animal Science and Agricultural Business.

"Hannah represents the very best of Iowa's next generation of agricultural leaders," said Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation. "She combines intellectual curiosity with humility, compassion and a genuine desire to serve others. Whether she is on her family's dairy farm, in the classroom or exploring solutions to global food security challenges, Hannah leads with purpose. We are proud to invest in her future because we know she will use her talents to strengthen agriculture and improve lives in Iowa and around the world."

The Iowa Hunger Summit also featured the presentation of the 2026 Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award to Ken DeYoung in recognition of his decades of humanitarian leadership and service through GoServ Global. A farmer and pilot from northwest Iowa, DeYoung co-founded the organization after volunteering in Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake. Since then, GoServ Global has supported more than 44,000 people across eight countries through programs focused on food security, housing, health care, education and disaster response.

Established by the World Food Prize Foundation in 2013, the Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award recognizes Iowans whose humanitarian service reflects the legacy of former Gov. Robert D. Ray and his commitment to helping vulnerable communities at home and abroad.

"Nearly every meaningful opportunity in my life began with a simple decision to help someone in need," said Ken DeYoung. "Looking back, I've learned that extraordinary things can happen when ordinary people choose to do what they know is right. I am deeply humbled to receive an award named for Governor Robert D. Ray, whose example of courageous and compassionate leadership continues to inspire all of us who seek to serve others."

The Iowa Hunger Summit was preceded by a community meal packaging event at the Hall of Laureates on Tuesday, when volunteers partnered with The Outreach Program to package over 40,000 meals for Iowa families. This would not have been possible without the support of Polk County, Dennis Albaugh, Greater Iowa Credit Union and Eide Bailey.

Twenty years after the first Iowa Hunger Summit, the challenge remains significant, but so does Iowa's commitment to meeting it. Through stronger partnerships, new investments in future leaders and expanded collaboration across the state, the work to end hunger continues.