Debate erupts as Polk County approves $667K food rescue partnership
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Polk County Supervisors on Tuesday approved paying nearly $667,000 over the next three years to an Altoona-based nonprofit for food rescue operations.
Why it matters: The deal exposes ongoing tensions in central Iowa's hunger-relief network, with one food pantry operator warning that the price tag is too high.
- The agreement was approved without a public bidding process, raising broader questions about how Polk County partners with outside groups.
Catch up quick: Caring Hands Outreach Center began delivering rescued food — largely leftover meals from restaurants or caterers that would have ended up in the trash — to the county-run River Place pantry last fall.
- It provided roughly 300 pounds of food each day in what Eric Kool, director of Polk County Community, Family and Youth Services, described as a six-month pilot program while the county evaluated the model.
Zoom in: Tuesday's agreement is intended to support overall food rescue operations throughout the county, including increasing food delivery at River Place food pantry to 440 pounds a day, five days a week.
- Polk County administrator Frank Marasco described the money as a one-time allocation to cover upfront costs to help Caring Hands scale its volunteer-driven food rescue and service model.
- After three years, the organization is expected to operate on its own without continued county support, he said.
Friction point: Anne Bacon, CEO of IMPACT, tells Axios the contract's cost is far out of line with typical food-rescue expenses.
- IMPACT operates the Drake Area Food Pantry for around $225,000 and its Ankeny pantry for around $183,000 annually, including rent, administration and staffing, she said.
The other side: Caring Hands CEO Jodi Urich tells Axios that critics misunderstand the scope and the structure of the agreement.
- Her group's partnership with the county will help it build the infrastructure to reduce costs and expand services, she said.
What they're saying: Bacon expressed concerns about costs, procurement rules and the lack of collaboration among hunger-relief groups during Tuesday's supervisors meeting.
- Most of her questions went unanswered.
- Supervisor Mark Holm said he was "a little bit bewildered" by the criticism, noting that the county is simply trying to address hunger with another option.
Yes, but: While Supervisor Angela Connolly ultimately voted in favor of the resolution, she criticized the county for not holding broader conversations with other nonprofits in the food insecurity network about the work.
What we're watching: Whether other hunger-relief nonprofits propose similar ideas — and if supervisors clarify when large service agreements need a formal bid or can proceed as staff-driven partnerships.