The Jefferson County Farm Bureau’s third annual Grocery Grab took place Thursday morning, March 19th, at the Fairfield Hy-Vee, raising $1,374.73 for The Lord’s Cupboard, Fairfield’s local food pantry.
Six teams competed in the event, which was held during National Ag Week, March 15th–21st. Teams of two had five minutes to race through the aisles and fill their carts with non-perishable items, aiming to get as close to $100 worth of groceries as possible without going over — and without the help of a calculator or phone. The competition was divided into two heats.
The results from each team were as follows: Iowa State Bank came in at $101.69, Jefferson County Farm Bureau Board families at $86.59, Sinclair Tractor at $284.83, Nutrien Ag Solutions at $156.37, Iowa Farm Bureau Financial Services – Alex Kessel Agency at $87.48, and Jefferson County Health Center at $157.77. Combined, the six teams contributed $874.73 worth of groceries. The Jefferson County Farm Bureau Board also donated an additional $500 check, bringing the total to $1,374.73.
Teams also competed for specialty awards alongside the main challenge. Nutrien Ag Solutions took home Best Decorated Cart honors for their cart decorating efforts before the 9:00 a.m. race. A major factor in their victory was the addition of balloons. Sinclair Tractor earned the Greatest Grabber award — recognizing the team that purchased the highest total value of groceries — for the second year in a row. Iowa Farm Bureau Financial Services – Alex Kessel Agency was named the overall winner of the main challenge, coming in closest to the $100 target without going over at $87.48.
Jefferson County Farm Bureau President Jason Steele, who served as a shopper for the Jefferson County Farm Bureau Board families team, called the event a strong success.
“Our event was extremely successful. We had six teams. We raised $875 worth of groceries to give the Lord’s Cupboard today, and our Jefferson County Farm Bureau board is going to donate $500 in cash,” Steele said. “It seems like the teams enjoyed the event once again. There are several teams wanting to come back again next year. I think this is a huge success, not only for the agricultural community getting to promote some of the food that we grow and produce in southeast Iowa, but our community needs help. And this is one good way that we can give back.”
Fellow Farm Bureau member Bridget Mellott, who handled timing during the event, echoed that sentiment.
“I think it was a great event. We had six teams, which was fabulous. We’d love to have more next year. I think it’s just something that we can give back to the community and raise awareness for the Farm Bureau and for what we like to do,” Mellott said. She added with a laugh that she was relieved to be on the timing end of things. “I’m glad I was doing the timing. It’s very stressful to do the shopping. It’s probably more fun when you’re spending somebody else’s money.”
While this marks the third year of the Grocery Grab in its current format, organizers noted that the Farm Bureau has been hosting similar community fundraising events for at least 20 years.
There is no cost to participate in the event beyond the groceries each team purchases. Organizers are already encouraging additional local businesses to sign up for next year’s competition.
Photos by A.J. Roe.
