A main area of concern in the world revolves around food insecurity, and an intern with Iowa State University talks about the struggle within Dallas County.

Dallas County ISU Extension & Outreach Food Access Intern Leah Wilson says there are food opportunities specifically in Perry with the food pantry, Perry Chamber’s Farmers Market, and the Perry Public Refrigerator that’s located inside the Perry Library’s Atrium, allowing people to stop by to pick up food. Wilson discusses more with the Perry Chamber’s Double Up Food Bucks available at the Farmers Market.

“People can do a dollar for dollar match when they spend money on produce. So, it’s essentially you’re getting your money back and it’s a great incentive for people to eat healthy.”

Wilson describes that it’s up to the younger generation to carve the way to help with food accessibility.

“Food is the future. It takes a community to make sure that make sure everyone is taken care of and is provided for, and a lot of these programs that we do have in place, a lot of people that run them is just a lot of older people that necessarily will probably age out, so it’s time for people my age to step into those roles.”

Wilson reiterates the importance of the youth doing their part to contribute to food pantries, and donate their time to serving the community.