The Food Bank of Iowa is feeling the effects of the ongoing war with Iran as fuel prices surge, driving diesel costs up 45% since late February and increasing the organization’s truck fuel expenses by 47%. With diesel hovering near $5 per gallon, the food bank is spending approximately $5,000 more per month on fuel to deliver food to its partners across 55 counties. This cost is equivalent to more than 8,000 meals the organization could be providing. These rising transportation costs are affecting both the sourcing and distribution of food across its 30,000-square-mile service area, as demand for assistance reaches record levels and USDA food distributions decline. “This is yet another challenge in an uncertain time, but Food Bank of Iowa and our partners are here to provide food for our neighbors for the long haul,” Food Bank of Iowa chief distribution officer Sonja LeSher said in a news release.