Skip to main content

Food Assistance in Howard County, Iowa: Food Banks & SNAP Retailers

Howard County has 8 SNAP-authorized retailers (grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers markets) where SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted, and the Feeding America food bank serving the county (Northeast Iowa Food Bank). By USDA store type, the largest groups are other SNAP retailers (3), super store (2), and farmers market (1). They are spread across 4 cities and towns, with the most in Cresco, Lime Springs, and Elma. In Iowa, SNAP is administered as the Food Assistance; see the official Iowa SNAP page to apply or find an office.

Get the free local food resource guide

8 SNAP-authorized retailers
1 Food banks serving this county
4 Cities

Food bank serving Howard County

Feeding America lists this food bank as serving Howard County. Call ahead to ask about pantry locations, hours and what to bring.

Food bank data: Feeding America member network, retrieved 2026-10-18.

SNAP-authorized retailers in Howard County

County Line Locker

108 E 2nd St, Riceville, IA 50466
Specialty store
Get Directions

Dollar Fresh 1094

22422 Highway 9, Cresco, IA 52136
Super store
Get Directions

Dollar General 25618

4738 Us Hwy 63, Lime Springs, IA 52155
Other SNAP retailer
Get Directions

Dollar General Store 31641

419 2nd Ave Se, Cresco, IA 52136
Other SNAP retailer
Get Directions

Dollartree 9548

612 2nd Ave E, Cresco, IA 52136
Other SNAP retailer
Get Directions

Elma Locker And Grocery

100 Grant St, Elma, IA 50628
Grocery store
Get Directions

Fareway Stores Inc. 815

112 S Elm St, Cresco, IA 52136
Super store
Get Directions

One World Micro Eco Farm

242 W Franklin St, Lime Springs, IA 52155
Farmers market
Get Directions

Cities in Howard County

Cresco Elma Lime Springs Riceville

SNAP Eligibility Quick Reference

A household of 4 in Iowa can earn up to $3,575/month and receive up to $1,023/month in SNAP benefits. View full Iowa eligibility table. Source: USDA SNAP eligibility page, Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027.

Nearby counties in Iowa

Looking beyond Howard County? Browse SNAP retailers and food banks in nearby counties, or see all of Iowa.

Winneshiek County7 Chickasaw County7 Allamakee County10 Mitchell County6 Floyd County7 Fayette County9

Helpful guides

Get the Howard County Emergency Food Resource Guide

Free guide with local resources, eligibility info, and application help. Delivered instantly to your inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Feeding America lists Northeast Iowa Food Bank as serving Howard County. See the contact details above. Food banks supply the local pantries, so calling them is the quickest way to find where to get food today.

This directory lists 8 USDA SNAP-authorized retailers in Howard County. The cities with the most are Cresco, Lime Springs, and Elma. Scroll to the retailer list for addresses and directions.

For Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027, USDA FNS lists a maximum gross monthly income of $3,575 (130% of the poverty line) and a maximum monthly benefit of $1,023 for a household of 4 in the 48 contiguous states and DC; Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits. Source: USDA SNAP eligibility page.

Contact the regional food bank listed on this page, because food banks supply the pantries in their area. You can also call 211 or use the Feeding America food bank locator. This site does not publish individual pantry hours.