Creating a vibrant local food system in Iowa relies on strong partnerships and effective working relationships. We need all voices at the table.
The Local Food and Farm Plan Team looks forward to having a diverse gathering from various sectors of the local food economy: producers, processors, distributors, institutional food services, regulators, educators, bankers, NGOs, policymakers and consumers. We want to celebrate the successes and address the challenges and obstacles that still exist.
Our goal for the Summit will be to engage participants in a lively discussion on logical next steps toward the development of a more vibrant food system in Iowa.
Senate File 509 created the Local Food and Farm Program in 2011 to build Iowa's local food economies and promote job growth. Its four goals are to:
- Promote the expansion of the production of local foods
- Increase consumer and institutional spending on Iowa-produced and marketed foods
- Increase the profit to farmers and businesses engaged in local foods
- Increase the number of jobs associated with a vibrant local food system
The team
During the first 6 months of funding a team coordinated by Craig Chase focused on the 29 recommendations in the 6 sections of the Local Food and Farm Plan:
- Business development/financial assistance (Andy Larson)
- Food processing (Nick McCann)
- Food safety (Teresa Wiemerslage)
- Beginning, transitioning and minority farmers (Jason Grimm)
- Assessing programs (Andrea Geary)
- Local food incentives (Lynn Heuss)
The team has looked at the challenges in each area and now we need your help:
