DES MOINES, Iowa – Oftentimes, the issue of hunger is associated with people in inner cities, where the cost of living tends to be high. But a new study shows some of the greatest need can be found where America’s food supply is grown and raised. Jon Bailey, director of rural public policy program for the Center for Rural Affairs, authored the report, which examines the use of food stamps, now called SNAP benefits, from 2008 to 2012.

“And what we found is that during that time period, more households in rural areas received SNAP benefits than did households in more urban – both metropolitan and small-city – areas,” he says. During the years reviewed, more than 14 percent of rural households received SNAP benefits, compared to slightly less than 11 percent of urban households.

Another key finding, says Bailey, is that rural areas and small cities have higher percentages of households with seniors and children receiving food support than in larger urban areas. “SNAP is providing a way for those people and those households to meet their food needs, which is important,” he points out, “because those two population groups are probably most at risk of hunger and food insecurity.”

In rural areas, one in nine households has a SNAP recipient who is either under age 18, or an adult 60 years of age or older.

(Iowa News Service)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Fewer people in Sioux City are reporting dog bites in the wake of a crackdown on pit bulls and vicious dogs. The Sioux City Journal reports that officers responded to 37 percent fewer dog-bite complaints last year than they did in 2007, the year before the city banned pit bulls. The ban included an exception for owners who registered their pit bulls, but no new pit bulls were allowed. More than 550 were registered before the April 2009 deadline. That number has since declined to 163.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating a fatal overnight shooting of a man in Davenport. The Quad-City Times reports that police were called to the shooting around 12:15 a.m. yesterday. Officers found a man lying unresponsive in a yard. An autopsy has been scheduled.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Two South Florida men face felony charges after a shooting outside an eastern Iowa vacation resort and apartment complex. The Burlington Hawk Eye reports that 26-year-old Donald Watkins and 30-year-old Virgil Griggs, both of Miami, were arrested.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A well-known Iowa City restaurant is reopening after a basement fire nearly three months ago. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the Hamburg Inn Number 2 will be serving breakfast once again by this morning. The restaurant is a popular spot for students, Iowa City residents and presidential candidates competing in the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday evening in the Media Center at the high school, beginning at 7:30-p.m. On their agenda are special presentations from Dan Vargason, with regard to the Costa Rica trip, and FFA Advisor Eric Miller, with regard to the National FFA Convention.

The Board is also set to act on approving: Open enrollment requests; General Education & Special Ed contracts, other contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, Amended Contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, Volunteer Coaching positions, and any resignations.

Other action items include: The second reading of a policy pertaining to Honorary Diplomas; The first reading of a Wellness Policy; The approval of a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2014-2015 school year; Approval of… new teacher employment, transportation for extra-curricular activities, and a 2014-15 Contract for a course in partnership with Iowa Western Community College.

At the end of their meeting, the Atlantic School Board will discuss the terms for a Board Self-Evaluation, and their Iowa Association of School Board (IASB) Action Priorities for FY 2015.