Candidates Polled for Supporting Food Bank Sales Tax Exemption

Iowa state legislative candidates respond to supporting sales tax exemption for food banks serving Iowans. The questionnaire was sent to legislative candidates in 5 out of the 6 food bank service areas across western and eastern Iowa.

The Iowa Food Bank Association, in collaboration with its member food banks, is sharing the results to the questionnaire sent to legislative candidates in western, and eastern Iowa. Each legislative candidate was asked if they would support sales tax exemption for the food banks in Iowa during the upcoming 2021 legislative session. Every $1 that is paid to the state from the food bank through sales tax could be used to help fight hunger. Food banks in Iowa are able to provide 5.5 meals for every $1 received from donations or grants.

Background: There are six food banks in the Feeding America network that serve Iowa. One is located in Nebraska, and one is a community action program, which is already exempt from sales tax. That leaves four food banks whose supporters make donations intended to feed food-insecure people, a portion of which is instead paid to the State in sales taxes.

In the 2020 legislative year, this bill passed the Iowa House, but not the Senate. The fiscal note totaled $202,000. Given how essential food banks are to feeding Iowans facing food insecurity and their extraordinary role in the State's COVID response, Governor Reynolds is on record supporting tax exemption for Iowa's food banks in the next legislative session.

All candidates not listed are invited to add their name to this list of supporters committed to signing on to sales tax exemption legislation for the food banks serving Iowa. Candidates and legislators can contact linda@iowafba.org to add their name to support the food banks feeding Iowans across the state.

Due to the COVID-19 the sustained high demand for food, the food banks across the state have distributed 40% more food since March 2020.