Iowa-grown apples headed to schools for Great Apple Crunch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2026
Mallory DeVries
communications@iowafoodsystemcoalition.org
Iowa-grown apples headed to schools for Great Apple Crunch
Iowa Food System Coalition-sponsored giveaway connects schools with Iowa farmers and local food purchasing channels
DES MOINES, Iowa — Schools and early care programs across Iowa will crunch into locally grown apples this October as part of the annual Great Apple Crunch. To support this year’s celebration, the Iowa Food System Coalition is donating 25 cases of Iowa-grown apples to five participating schools and early care programs.
Pleasantville Community School District, Riceville Community School District, Drake Head Start, Lawton-Bronson Community School District and Osage Community School District will receive apples through the Great Apple Giveaway sponsored by IFSC.
The Great Apple Crunch takes place Wednesday, Oct. 14, as part of National Farm to School Month. Since 2014, millions of participants across the Midwest have joined the annual celebration by buying, serving and crunching into locally and regionally grown apples.
“The Great Apple Crunch showcases the work Iowa farmers, food hubs and school food service staff do every day to bring more local food into school cafeterias,” said Tommy Hexter, Executive Director of the Iowa Food System Coalition. “We’re proud to help these schools participate and strengthen the relationships that make local food purchasing possible.”
For the five giveaway recipients, the Crunch puts local food procurement into practice. Participating sites are coordinating their own apple orders through local purchasing channels, including Iowa food hubs that bring products from multiple farms together for larger buyers. Kitchen Sync Strategies is helping coordinate orders, with additional support from Iowa Valley RC&D.
“Food hubs are the bridge between Iowa farmers and the schools that want to buy from them,” said Giselle Bruskewitz, Senior Program Director at Iowa Valley RC&D. “When a school nutrition director places an order through a hub, they gain both a pathway and a strategic partner for local procurement.”
Iowa schools serve tens of millions of meals each year, making school food purchasing a significant market opportunity for Iowa farmers and food businesses. Previous local food purchasing programs in Iowa schools generated an estimated $1.94 in economic activity for every $1 spent through supply chain, labor and local business impacts.
“Annual events like the Great Apple Crunch are a catalyst for schools who want to grow their local procurement initiatives,” said Chelsea Lynn, Chair of the Iowa Food System Coalition and Co-Chair of the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Coalition. “Their initial purchase and experience with a high-quality, local product like Iowa apples gets them excited to consider other seasonal foods they can source. October is National Farm to School Month and a powerful time of year for building local purchasing momentum.”
The Great Apple Crunch is open to schools, early care sites, hospitals, colleges, community groups and families, with a regional goal of 1 million Crunches this October. The official Crunch takes place at noon on Oct. 14, but participants can hold a Crunch anytime during October.
Register your Crunch and find resources for sourcing and serving local apples through the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Coalition.
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About the Iowa Food System Coalition
The Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) is a community of over 60 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. Find photography, b-roll and additional media resources at iowafoodsystemcoalition.org/newsroom.
About the Great Apple Crunch
The Great Apple Crunch is a regional celebration of local farmers, healthy eating and farm to school held each October during National Farm to School Month. Participants of all ages across Iowa and the Midwest celebrate by purchasing and crunching into locally and regionally grown apples. In Iowa, the Great Apple Crunch is organized by the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Coalition and partners. Find the Crunch Guide and more info at https://www.iowafarmtoschoolearlycare.org/great-apple-crunch.
