CHS Foundation and CoBank Partner to Provide $2 Million in Support to Feeding America as Rural Food Insecurity Intensifies
Food insecurity remains a pressing challenge across the United States, and in many rural areas, the need for consistent access to nutritious food has become more urgent than ever. In response to this growing concern, the CHS Foundation and CoBank have announced a joint commitment to donate $2 million to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. The CHS Foundation and CoBank will each contribute $1 million, directing the funds specifically toward strengthening food banks in rural communities, where supply chains are limited and poverty rates often remain high.
This partnership arrives at a critical moment. Families in small towns and agricultural regions are facing rising prices for essential goods, reduced access to grocery options, and economic fluctuations that have impacted farm incomes and rural employment. Food banks, which serve as a vital resource in these areas, are experiencing unprecedented demand. The donation is designed to help ensure that food assistance organizations can continue to meet these growing needs.
A Growing Crisis in Rural America
According to recent data from Feeding America, 47 million people in the United States are currently living with food insecurity—meaning they lack consistent access to enough food to maintain a healthy and active life. Of these, nearly 14 million are children, underscoring the severity of the issue and the vulnerability of families facing financial strain.
While hunger affects communities in every state and across diverse demographics, the burden is especially heavy in rural regions. Feeding America reports that 86% of U.S. counties with the highest rates of food insecurity are rural, where distances between services are greater, wages are often lower, and fewer public resources exist to support struggling households. Many rural food banks rely on a network of volunteers and small community contributions, making large-scale assistance essential in times of escalating demand.
The CHS Foundation and CoBank’s donation aims to directly address these challenges by supporting food banks where help is most urgently needed, and where their cooperative roots connect them deeply to local economies and residents.
Strengthening Rural Communities Through Cooperative Support
The CHS Foundation, funded by CHS Inc.—the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative—has long supported programs that invest in rural community strength, agricultural education, and leadership development. For CHS and its Foundation, strengthening food access in rural areas aligns with their mission to cultivate thriving and sustainable agricultural communities.
“CHS and the CHS Foundation believe in the power of the cooperative system to support rural communities,” said Jay Debertin, President and CEO of CHS. “Through this combined effort with CoBank and Feeding America, we’re helping families in rural America have access to the food they need.”
Similarly, CoBank, a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America—including agriculture, power, water, and communications—has focused much of its philanthropy on enhancing the resilience and well-being of rural economies.
“Food insecurity is a growing challenge in rural America, where families are struggling to put meals on the table,” said Tom Halverson, CEO of CoBank. “Our mission is rooted in strengthening rural communities, and this partnership with the CHS Foundation and Feeding America is about delivering nourishment where it’s needed most.”
Both organizations emphasize that their support extends beyond dollars—it reflects a continued commitment to understanding and responding to the shifting needs of rural communities, where access to grocery stores, transportation, and employment can be limited.
Feeding America’s Network Plays a Critical Role
Feeding America operates the largest hunger-relief network in the country, consisting of more than 200 food banks and over 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. These organizations work together to distribute millions of pounds of food each week to families, seniors, veterans, and children who need support.
Despite the dedication of staff and volunteers, the system has been strained. Higher food costs, supply chain disruptions, and increased demand have required food banks to stretch their resources further than ever.
Linda Nageotte, President and Chief Operating Officer of Feeding America, emphasized the importance of collaborative action:
Ending hunger for good in rural communities—where food insecurity rates are disproportionately high, especially among children—requires dedicated partnerships and collective action. We are so grateful for this collaborative, generous, and focused donation from the CHS Foundation and CoBank.
The donation is expected to strengthen sourcing efforts, expand distribution, increase mobile food pantry capacity, and offset operational pressures facing rural food banks. Importantly, it will help ensure that families can reliably access nutritious meals—not only in times of crisis, but throughout the year.
This $2 million contribution reflects not only a response to immediate demand, but an investment in long-term food security in regions that often receive less national attention. By targeting rural communities, CHS Foundation and CoBank are reinforcing their shared values: cooperation, resilience, and the belief that strong communities are built by supporting neighbors.
The donation is also a call to action for other organizations, institutions, and leaders to recognize the persistent and widespread nature of hunger—and to prioritize solutions that reach underserved populations.
As communities continue to adapt to economic, environmental, and social challenges, partnerships like this one demonstrate how collaboration can create meaningful and sustainable impact.
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