McDonald’s and the Iowa Food & Family Project (IFFP) are partnering to dish up fresh and fun information about quality food and the farm families who grow it.

As a leading U.S. foodservice provider, McDonald’s is dedicated to serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients grown by farmers to more than 25 million customers every day. An important part of that experience includes offering consumers opportunities to engage in conversations about how food is grown, prepared and served. 

“Farmers and McDonald’s share a commitment to remain relevant and trusted by providing great-tasting food that is affordable and of the highest quality,” said David Roberts, owner/operator of six McDonald’s restaurants in Des Moines, Grimes, Creston and Osceola.

“McDonald’s meticulously sources its suppliers, partnering with farmers who help us meet and exceed the restaurant industry’s highest standards,” he said. “Teaming up with Iowa Food & Family takes that relationship to the next level with increased transparency about the journey that brings delicious food from the farm to the McDonald’s dining experience.”

There are 143 McDonald’s restaurants located in Iowa employing 8,646 people. In 2013, McDonald's sourced more than 96 million pounds of pork, 1.2 billion eggs, nearly 72 million pounds of corn and more than 5 million pounds of cheese valued at $230 million in Iowa. And in 2012, McDonald’s purchased more than 21 million pounds of soybeans and 97,000 pounds of flour from Iowa farmers.

Aaron Putze, IFFP coordinator and Iowa Soybean Association communications director, said the partnership compliments national food awareness activities by using local voices and venues that reinforce farming’s relevance and importance.  

“People have sincere questions about how food is grown and raised and that’s a good thing,” Putze said. “Farmers and foodservice providers like McDonald’s welcome the interest and value the opportunity to be part of the conversation through continuous dialogue and personalized experiences.”

The partnership kicks off Aug. 4 with more than 100 McDonald’s locations in Iowa featuring in-store merchandise celebrating the continuous improvement of Iowa’s farmers and their dedication to growing wholesome food for everyone.

Also, the IFFP’s “What Farmers Grow Makes Iowa Go!” exhibit will appeal to people of all ages during the Iowa State Fair Aug. 7-17 in Des Moines. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, the exhibit will bring the story of food and farming to life with a must-see, one-of-a-kind sculpture created from more than 50 tons of sand. 

Numerous events and contests will engage fairgoers of all ages. Children participating in a coloring and illustration activity will receive a coupon for a complimentary McDonald’s ice cream cone. Fairgoers are invited to join the celebration by taking photos of activities and the sculpture and participating in social media conversations at #foodnfamilies.

IFFP and McDonald’s will announce additional activities this fall.