John Deere Foundation Announces $18.5 Million Farm-to-Plate Strategy to Support Farmers and Address Hunger

Multi-year investments will support food banks, recover farm-grown food, and connect 100+ Iowa farmers with local food banks serving families facing hunger

MOLINE, Ill., Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- The John Deere Foundation today announced an $18.5 million multi-year Farm-to-Plate strategy designed to support Feeding America^® partner food banks and strengthen the connections that move food from farms to communities across the United States.

Anchored by a $17 million commitment to Feeding America and a $1.5 million partnership with The Farmlink Project, the Foundation will help recover surplus produce, build direct pathways connecting farmers with food banks, and mobilize John Deere employees to address hunger in their home communities.

The John Deere Foundation's farm-to-plate strategy will support food banks and help move food from farms to families in need

Farm-to-plate will support farmers by rescuing surplus food and purchasing local food directly from farmers for nearby food banks.

Dedicated funding for annual meal packing events will allow thousands of John Deere employees to support their local food banks during the workday.

More than $13 million of the $18.5 million commitment will support food security efforts across Iowa, including a new farm to food bank initiative that will connect more than 100 local farmers directly with regional food banks.

"Through our Farm-to-Plate strategy, we're excited to build on John Deere's decades-long support of food banks while helping farmers play an even bigger role in addressing hunger," said Deanna Kovar, President, Worldwide Ag & Turf Division for Production and Precision Ag at John Deere. "Farmers have a long tradition of supporting their communities. By connecting them directly with food banks, we're creating new opportunities for producers and helping more families access nutritious food closer to home."

Strengthening Food Sourcing and Food Bank Connections
The Foundation is committing $17 million over three years to Feeding America to expand access to nutritious food, support food banks across the country, and create new opportunities for farmers and food banks to work together.

The Feeding America commitment includes:

• A New "Farm to Food Bank" Initiative in Iowa: to help three food banks significantly expand existing partnerships with Iowa farmers, growing participation to more than 100 producers, and creating new market opportunities for farmers while connecting more locally grown food with families facing hunger.
• National Sourcing and Distribution Support: Multi-year funding will expand food sourcing capacity and strengthen distribution networks across the Feeding America nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries, and meal programs.
• Mobilizing Employee Volunteerism: An annual initiative bringing John Deere employees together to pack meals and support local hunger-relief efforts where they live and work. From 2026 to 2029, approximately 22,000 employees are projected to help pack 1.8 million meals. Volunteer meal-packing events are company-supported and take place during paid working hours, ensuring that employees can actively give back.

"America grows a lot of good food, and farmers know their communities. Our job is to make sure more of that food can reach neighbors who need it," said Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America. "John Deere's investment will help food banks build stronger, more direct relationships with farmers in Iowa and across the country, while strengthening the systems that move fresh food where it can do the most good. That is the kind of partnership this moment requires."

Rescuing Surplus Food Before It Goes to Waste
The John Deere Foundation is also investing $1.5 million over three years in The Farmlink Project to help recover surplus food from farms across America and redirect it to communities experiencing food insecurity. 

Over the three-year grant, the partnership is projected to deliver: 

• 6.4 million pounds of rescued fresh produce
• 5.3 million meals* delivered to food-insecure communities across the country 
• More than 273,000 individuals with increased access to fresh, nutritious food
• 30 to 60 farming operations supported across multiple states 

"Too much of America's fresh food still never leaves the farm," said Eliza Blank, CEO of The Farmlink Project. "With this grant from John Deere, The Farmlink Project can continue building a more resilient supply chain that keeps good food in circulation, supports farmers when markets fail, and ensures millions of pounds of fresh produce reach people instead of landfills."

Strengthening the Food System from Farm to Plate
The Farm-to-Plate strategy reflects the Foundation's belief that strengthening food systems requires coordinated action from field to table. By investing in on-farm food recovery, direct farmer to food bank relationships, and local community engagement, the Foundation will reduce barriers that prevent good food from reaching people who need it. For decades, the John Deere Foundation has supported organizations working to improve food security in the communities where its employees live and work. Today's announcement expands that legacy through a coordinated strategy designed to create lasting impact across the agricultural and charitable food systems in America.

*According to the USDA, 1.2 pounds is the equivalent to one meal.

About the John Deere Foundation
Founded in 1948, the John Deere Foundation creates meaningful, long-lasting impact in the communities where John Deere employees live and work. Building on more than 75 years of giving and over $400 million in charitable contributions, the Foundation supports organizations focused on alleviating hunger, improving access to education, and helping communities thrive.

About Feeding America
Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation's most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today--and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors.  We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

About The Farmlink Project
The Farmlink Project is a national nonprofit working to ensure that good food does not go to waste while communities face food insecurity. Farmlink connects farms and food donors with food banks and community organizations, coordinating transportation to move surplus produce quickly and efficiently where it is needed. Farmlink uses what it learns from every truckload to close gaps in food recovery and help build a food system that works better for farmers, people, and the planet. Since 2020, Farmlink has delivered more than 500 million pounds of fresh food through a network of growers, distributors, and community partners. Learn more at https://www.farmlinkproject.org/.

SOURCE John Deere Company

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