By Andi Anderson
The Choose Iowa program, an initiative to promote Iowa-grown, raised, and made food and agricultural products, has surpassed 100 members across the state.
This milestone marks significant growth for the program, which is overseen by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. It was announced during Iowa Local Food Day, held annually on the fourth Wednesday of September.
The program connects consumers with Iowa-based products and helps farmers and businesses showcase their goods. By using the Choose Iowa logo, members provide assurance to customers that their products are sourced from within the state, encouraging local purchasing and community support.
Consumers can explore Iowa-grown products through Choose Iowa’s "Find Local" directory on their website. This feature allows users to search for local food and ag products based on location, product type, and sales method.
Additionally, the “What’s In Season” page helps consumers identify seasonal products and find vendors offering them.
Choose Iowa also supports agritourism with an events calendar that showcases fun activities like farm-to-table dinners, apple orchard visits, and other educational experiences throughout the year.
To further boost Iowa agriculture, Choose Iowa offers various grant programs aimed at expanding the availability of local products. Grants support dairy innovation and value-added products, with more details available on the program’s website.
Choose Iowa membership is available for $100 annually, offering benefits such as using the official logo, participating in cooperative advertising, and accessing the program's digital platforms for wider exposure.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Iowa, General