(Radio Iowa) – The head of an organization that stocks food pantries in 55 Iowa counties says along with a surge in food pantry usage, her organization’s food budget has soared. Tami Nielsen started as a regional coordinator for the Food Bank of Iowa in 2016 and has been its President and C-E-O since June 1st.

Nielsen says Iowans can make about anything with a pound of ground beef, but the Food Bank of Iowa has changed its bulk buying due to the high price of beef.

The Food Bank of Iowa is one of six Feeding America food banks in the state — and the largest. It’s the main supplier for 700 food pantries in the state.

Nielsen made her comments during a recent appearance on the “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S.