Harvest is a busy time of year for area farmers and some businesses in the area have been taking time to let the farming community know how much they are appreciated by delivering food to them and also by having food available at area elevators.
Pritchard’s Lake Chevrolet staff delivered close to 300 harvest lunches to farmers in the North Iowa area from Oct. 7-14. Annually, all six Pritchard dealerships deliver “Harvest Lunches to over 600 farmers and their farm hands during the harvest season. The sack lunch includes a sandwich, chips, a cookie, an apple, a bottle of water and a thank you note from Pritchard’s Family Auto Stores.
“Pritchards has done this for many years and it’s our way to give back to our community and to the farmers who are so vital,” said Kristi Miles, sales consultant at Pritchards. “We travel all over north Iowa and we get such nice responses from our farmers. They are so appreciative for being thanked and recognized for all they do.”
Pritchard Family Auto Stores are located in Clear Lake, Britt, Belmond, Forest City, and Garner.
Clear Lake Bank and Trust has teamed with Iowa Corn to bring grilled hamburger meals to farmersin six locations across North Iowa.
Joni Erwin, who is now an ag and commercial loan office at Clear Lake Bank and Trust, had worked for Iowa Corn before joining CLB&T.
“I used to deliver meals when I worked for Iowa Corn and I know Clear Lake Bank and Trust did a meal too,” said Erwin. “I thought it would be beneficial to team up and reach more farmers.”
The two businesses now provide meals in Clear Lake, Ventura, Garner, Portland, Nora Springs and Cartersville. They work with the elevators in those areas to supply grilled hamburger meals for the farmers coming into the elevators and they also deliver meals to those working in the field. Approximately 150 farmers are fed a day. Last year they fed around 800 hungry farmers in five locations.
“We feel this is a great way to get out and meet farmers where they are,” said Sarah Tweeten, District II Field Manager for Iowa Corn. “Usually we get a skeptical look when we pull into fields, but when they see we have food we get a big smile.”
It’s a team effort when it comes to supplying the food.
“We have many bank employees that help from doing the grilling, to picking up food supplies, to delivering the meals,” said Erwin. “We feel it’s a great way to show our appreciation for all that the farmers do.”
Louie’s Custom Meats and More, located in Clear Lake, is an integral part of feeding the farmers in the area. The business provides the hamburgers for the CLB&T and Iowa Corn efforts and they make all of the sack lunches for Pritchard’s Family Auto Stores.
“Without our farmers we wouldn’t have any products in our store,” said Britney Hutchinson, of Louie’s Custom Meats and More. “It’s a crazy two weeks, but we are happy to be involved in recognizing the area farmers.”
