URBANDALE, Iowa - The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors has issued a challenge to fellow Iowans to join the fight against malnutrition and hunger, in the United States and across the globe. A new ISA initiative titled “Acres of Giving: Harvest an Acre, Feed the World” was launched today in conjunction with the Iowa Hunger Summit.

The ISA board, comprised of 21 farmer leaders, is donating the equivalent of 21 acres of soybeans. The ISA leaders challenge Iowans to contribute the equivalent of 10,000 acres of soybeans in the coming year. With soybeans valued at approximately $400 per acre, the goal is to raise $4 million, with proceeds going to the World Soy Foundation and the Soy for Life Foundation.

“We, as Iowa’s soybean producers, take our role of feeding the world very seriously,” says Curt Sindergard, ISA president and a soybean grower from Rolfe. “We hope that our fellow Iowans will step up to the challenge and help us in our goal to alleviate hunger and malnutrition with soy protein.”

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says that soy protein is a wonderful tool to combat world hunger, and he is confident that Iowans will meet the Acres of Giving challenge.

“Iowa farmers have the great soil, great weather and great technology needed to feed the world, and now we can all join together in this effort,” says Northey.

To donate, please visit www.iasoybeans.com and click on the “Acres of Giving” icon.

The Soy for Life Foundation funds research to further the many health benefits of soy. The foundation also funds programs to reach malnourished, under-served and hungry populations in the United States, as well as developing programs to further educate consumers, food industry professionals and the media on soy protein usage. For more information about the Soy for Life Foundation, visit www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com.

The World Soy Foundation was founded by U.S. soybean farmers and works collaboratively with humanitarian organizations, corporations, public and private foundations, international organizations, U.S. and international governments and individuals to deliver soy protein and nutrition education to people in developing nations. To learn more about the World Soy Foundation, visit www.worldsoyfoundation.org.