Iowa Food System Coalition responds to final Agriculture & Natural Resources budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Schwartz, Iowa Food System Coalition Executive Director
319-429-0133 | communications@iowafoodsystemcoalition.org
May 21, 2025
Iowa Food System Coalition responds to final Agriculture & Natural Resources budget
Lawmakers have approved the FY 2025-26 Agriculture and Natural Resources budget, making the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program permanent. Advocates, however, are disappointed that funding was reduced to $200,000 for food-bank purchases, schools were excluded, and Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants remain flat at $1.8 million.
While the Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) appreciates the Legislature’s nod to local procurement, the final bill abandons the proven model from the Choose Iowa Purchasing Pilot Program that supplied both food banks and K-12 cafeterias, just as schools are losing crucial federal support. In March USDA ended the Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) programs, cutting off roughly $11.3 million that once put local meat, milk, and produce on lunch trays and pantry shelves.
We are disappointed that lawmakers did not act on the clear, united call from Iowa farmers, schools, and families. IFSC brought more than fifty partner advocates to the Capitol this session to underscore the need for meaningful investment in Iowa's food system.
“Iowa’s 300-farmer-member Choose Iowa network can’t build resilient supply chains on two-hundred thousand dollars and good intentions. This budget keeps the lights on, but leaves schools in the dark.”
— Chris Schwartz, Executive Director, Iowa Food System Coalition
“Legislators clearly recognize the economic power of buying local, yet the final numbers don’t match the need. Iowa’s table-food farms have scaled up to feed our communities, but they need a larger slice of the state budget to keep farm-to-school and food-pantry programs alive.”
— Tommy Hexter, Policy Director, Iowa Farmers Union (IFSC partner)
“Iowa’s food banks, pantries, and anti-hunger organizations are still facing historic demand. We appreciate the investment in the purchasing program, but the Legislature missed a bigger opportunity to fight hunger and support local growers such as expanding bipartisan tools like Double Up Food Bucks.”
— Luke Elzinga, Policy & Advocacy Manager, DMARC Food Pantry Network (IFSC partner)
The Iowa Food System Coalition will continue working with partners and legislators to secure the resources and farm-to-school language required to begin filling the gap left by the loss of LFS and LFPA funds. We also urge the Governor to explore administrative options that would allow schools to participate in the coming year so every Iowa child can benefit from fresh, locally produced food.
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About the Iowa Food System Coalition
The Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) is a community of over 40 organizational partners and 600 individuals with professional and lived expertise, united to advance a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system in Iowa. Through Setting the Table for All Iowans, our strategic roadmap, IFSC is leading efforts to increase local food consumption, build resilient rural communities, create economic opportunities, and improve the health of Iowans.
Media Resources
Choose Iowa Purchasing Pilot for Schools: the pilot’s K-12 component received no appropriation in the FY 2025-26 budget; schools remain ineligible for current funding.
School Lunch, Economic Development and Local Food: podcast episode from Iowa Food System Coalition
Media Inquiries: To connect with our Communications Team, please email Mallory DeVries at communications@iowafoodsystemcoalition.org.
The IFSC newsroom provides resources for media professionals, including press releases, press kits, branding materials, and updates on our mission and initiatives. Visit IowaFoodSystemCoalition.org/newsroom to learn more about how we’re transforming Iowa’s food system.
