Despite the recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval of lab-grown meat products, Iowa Farm Bureau’s Food and Farm Index® finds most Iowa grocery shoppers do not plan to purchase cell or plant-based imitation meat and instead are likely to choose the flavor and nutritional benefits of real meat.  Only 21% of Iowa grocery shoppers are even somewhat likely to purchase lab-grown imitation meat, and only 24% are likely to purchase plant-based imitation meat instead of real meat.

Additionally, for Iowans who have previously purchased plant-based imitation meat, the majority (53%) are not likely to make a future purchase. While Iowans appear underwhelmed by imitation meat, Iowans’ affinity for real meat remains strong, with 97% of Iowa households consuming meat and/or poultry at least weekly.

As food costs remain high across the country, price continues to be a key factor for Iowa grocery shoppers when choosing meat/poultry and dairy products to purchase (75% and 68% rank in their top 3 most important factors when making food purchase decisions, respectively).  When making food purchase decisions, Iowans say the labels that provide them the most information they are seeking are: raised/grown/made locally (34%), raised/grown by Iowa family farmers (33%) and raised/grown/made in the U.S. (26%).

In addition to meat consumption, Iowans are also dairy lovers, with nearly all Iowa households (98%) consuming dairy at least weekly.  While 44% of all Iowa grocery shoppers expressed a likelihood to purchase plant-based imitation milk instead of real dairy milk moving forward, one in three who have ever purchased imitation milk (33%) are not likely to purchase it again.

The annual survey, now in its 10^th year, was conducted online by The Harris Poll in the spring of 2023 and asked 500 Iowans, ages 20 to 60, with primary or shared household grocery shopping responsibilities about their purchasing habits and attitudes.  The index also uncovered other trends and factors shaping consumption habits, including how and where Iowa grocery shoppers purchase meat and dairy for their families.

Iowans overwhelmingly trust farmers

Trust and confidence in Iowa farmers have remained strong over the decade of polling.  This year, 93% of Iowa grocery shoppers say they trust Iowa farmers, 88% are confident that Iowa farmers care for their animals responsibly, and 81% feel confident that Iowa farmers are caring for the environment responsibly.

About three quarters (74%) of Iowa grocery shoppers are confident Iowa farmers are taking on the challenge of improving water quality, and that number jumped to nearly 90% when they learned Iowa farmers lead the nation in no tillage and reduced tillage farming, which allows farmers to minimize soil disturbance protecting soil and water (89%) and that Iowa ranks #1 nationally in several water quality and soil protection practices, like water quality wetlands, bioreactors, grassed waterways, filter and buffer strips, and conservations tillage – which improve soil health and protect water quality (86%).  Confidence in U.S. agriculture also remains high, with nearly four in five (77%) confident that U.S. farmers are implementing sustainable farming practices.

“There were several encouraging takeaways from the Food and Farm Index®, but earning the trust of Iowans when it comes to protecting the environment and caring for our animals is a badge of honor for Iowa farmers,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.  “Iowa farmers are committed to sustainability and farming responsibly, and maintaining the trust and confidence of fellow Iowans remains a top priority.”

Nutrition sways Iowans to consume more real meat and dairy

More than 9 in 10 Iowa grocery shoppers consider animal-based proteins like meat and milk as healthy options when considering foods and beverages in an average diet, and more than two-thirds of shoppers say they are likely to consume more meat and dairy after learning more about the unique nutritional attributes of real meat, poultry and dairy. Nutritional attributes of real meat and dairy appear to influence Iowa grocery shoppers’ purchases.

Even shoppers who said they were likely to purchase imitation meat or milk are swayed by the nutrition of real meat, poultry and dairy.  When learning about the high-quality protein, Vitamin B12, zinc and iron found in real animal products, likely buyers of imitation products and those unlikely to purchase imitation products in the future were equally inclined to increase consumption of real meat and milk.

Grocery shoppers in Iowa more frequently say meat (96%) and milk (94%) from animals are healthier compared to plant-based alternatives (vs. 65% plant-based meat and 75% plant-based milk), and according to nutrition experts, they are correct. Health experts like Dr. Ruth MacDonald, an Iowa State University food science and nutrition scholar, understand the appeal and value of those nutritional attributes.

“Animal proteins – meat, milk and eggs – are ‘complete’ proteins which mean they contain all the required amino acids needed for humans. These foods are also great sources of nutrients that maintain and enhance the immune system, such as vitamin B12, iron and zinc which are not as well absorbed from plant-based foods,” said Dr. MacDonald.  “Having a well-balanced diet is always important, but especially during high stress times like these, it’s even more important to ensure the foods we eat are rich in the vitamins, minerals and proteins that support and strengthen our immune system, and animal-based proteins remain an excellent source.”

Nearly 9 in 10 Iowa grocery shoppers (87%) are likely to purchase food based on its ability to support and strengthen their immune system. Sixty-nine percent of Iowa grocery shoppers are likely to increase meat and poultry consumption after learning they provide the majority of zinc in our diets, which aids proper immune system function.

After learning that the human body absorbs iron, which helps the body use oxygen, from meat and poultry more easily than iron from plant-based foods, 68% are likely to increase their meat and poultry consumption.  Seventy-two percent are likely to increase consumption after learning that meat, eggs and dairy are natural sources of Vitamin B12, which promotes brain development in children and helps the nervous system function properly. And 68% are likely to consume more meat, eggs and dairy after learning they are the highest quality sources of protein, which can help with weight loss and muscle tone.
Methodology
             The research was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Iowa Farm Bureau among 500 Iowa adults aged 20-60 who have primary or shared responsibility for grocery shopping. The survey was conducted May 12 through June 1, 2023.

Data is weighed where necessary by education, age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, size of household, material status, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +5.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subset of the surveyed population of interest.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is the largest statewide, grassroots farm organization in Iowa, celebrating more than 100 years of creating a vibrant future for agriculture, farm families and their communities.  For more information, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com.

About The Harris Polls
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

“The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act is crucial for children battling rare and complex diseases,” Miller-Meeks said. “This legislation gives children with rare and complex diseases access to health care institutions and research facilities that are in many cases out of state. It also lessens the bureaucracy and significant wait times that bottleneck patient care and risk worsening a child’s health condition.”

“Families seeking life-saving care for their children should be able to access it quickly and wherever it’s available. Families shouldn’t have to trip over red tape to reach the most effective specialist, treatment or procedure, whether around the corner or across state lines,” Grassley said. “Our bill makes it easier for kids to get the medical attention they need without imposing extra costs on families.”

Children with complex medical conditions cannot always secure specialized care in their home states. When this happens, parents must work with their in-state providers and Medicaid officials to identify out-of-state providers who do offer that care. The process is riddled with regulatory hurdles that often delay, or even prohibit, children from receiving critical medical treatments. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act would alleviate these burdens for families, as well as providers.