Iowa's schools experienced a notable improvement in their Farm to School initiatives during the 2022-23 academic year, thanks to the launch of the Iowa Local Food for Schools program. According to the "Local Food for Schools Progress Report," released by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, funds from this program benefited 135 schools across 69 counties in Iowa, resulting in a total expenditure of $644,931 on local food purchases from farms and businesses.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service introduced the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program in July 2022 to help states address supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. Iowa received a grant of $2,193,501 from the USDA for acquiring local foods over an 18-month period.
To maximize the impact of the funding, Iowa formed the Iowa LFS Steering Committee, comprising representatives from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Valley Resource, Conservation and Development, and ISU Extension and Outreach. Leveraging existing assets, such as a food hub network and success with the Local Produce and Protein Program, the committee efficiently distributed funds.
Schools applied for grants ranging from $4,000 to $8,000, with the majority opting for a combination of $4,000 for produce and $4,000 for protein. Over 180,000 students benefited from consuming local foods during various meal times. Four food hubs—Farm Table Delivery in Harlan, Field to Family in Iowa City, Iowa Food Hub in Decorah, and Prudent Produce in Elkhart—served as sponsors, aiding in award management and coordinating food distribution.
The program aimed for a balance in spending on produce and proteins, covering items such as dairy, eggs, meat, fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, maple syrup, and flours. Nearly half of the produce purchases consisted of frozen vegetables.
Ensuring food safety and traceability, Iowa implemented a producer registration system. In LFS Round 1, 110 farms and food businesses participated, with 64% identifying as socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers. The program successfully met the USDA goal of purchasing from socially disadvantaged producers, with half of the food purchases coming from socially disadvantaged farmers. The majority of producers were small businesses, with a few being nonprofit organizations.
Beyond promoting local food consumption, the Iowa LFS program expanded economic opportunities for local producers and small businesses. The report highlights that for every dollar spent on LFS, there was a return on investment of $1.94, emphasizing a substantial boost to rural communities.
The program's success led to its expansion, with schools applying for a second round of funding for the 2023-24 school year. As of December 31, over $780,000 had been spent. The report includes recommendations to sustain the positive impacts of the program, and further details can be found in the complete report online.
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Categories: Iowa, Education, Government & Policy