Some Des Moines food pantries are bare

What's happening: There's an ongoing contract dispute between the Food Bank of Iowa and the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), the pantry's affiliate.

• Organizers have not had access to federal commodities like eggs and meat it typically makes available to low-income families for months, Bacon tells Axios.
• And food donations from some businesses are prohibited due to exclusivity agreements, she says.

State of play: As many as 10 DMARC pantries are without access to Food Bank services.

• Pantry clients still get food but not some of the core staples that were available prior to November, Bacon says.

What's next: Efforts among multiple community groups and government officials to help resolve the contract disputes are ongoing.