Supply Hive Leads Community Response to Nunn, Miller-Meeks SNAP Cuts with New Canning Program

Thursday evening Supply Hive launched their new Summer Food Preservation Program with an in-person training on food preservation techniques co-hosted by Fairness for Iowa. 

The program will help combat rising costs and devastating SNAP cuts voted on by Iowa’s Congressional delegation by stretching fresh food donations further. Over 20 members of the community gathered to learn from master canners and rescue local produce from spoiling. 

Zakariyah Hill, the executive director of the Supply Hive, said that the goal of the program is to preserve produce donations to keep shelves stocked in the coming months.

“The demand at food pantries has been increasing alongside tariffs and inflation. As costs continue to rise, more and more people need assistance making their grocery hauls last,” Hill said. “By restricting access to food, SNAP and WIC and other community resources, our electeds are not only taking us backward, they’re causing unnecessary pain.Our community needs programs like this to help fill the gaps.”

The inaugural canning event supplied the Hive’s pantry with repurposed strawberries for jam, pesto from local garlic scapes, and rescued ten gallons of pickles from becoming foodwaste, small batch canning them for local families. Approximately 30 volunteers helped sanitize, prep and can while learning from local Master Canners. 

As reported by Channel 5 News in Des Moines, the program teaches individuals how to produce from community gardens and farms throughout the summer harvest. By supporting those learning to can and providing extra stock in the winter months for community pantries and fridges, Supply Hive is teaching Iowans how to can to combat cuts to SNAP and rising food prices.