Iowa Food System Coalition Reflects on Key 2026 Legislative Wins
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tommy Hexter
Iowa Food System Coalition
Executive Director
director@iowafoodsystemcoalition.org
DES MOINES, Iowa — May 6, 2026 —The Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) is recognizing the close of the 2026 legislative session with appreciation for bipartisan investments that strengthen Iowa’s food system, support farmers, and expand access to healthy food.
This session delivered meaningful progress in two priority areas identified by IFSC and its statewide network of partners: a $1 million standing appropriation for Double Up Food Bucks and $200,000 for the Choose Iowa School Purchasing Program, alongside continued support for food bank purchasing through the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program. Together, these investments help connect Iowa farmers to local markets while making it easier for Iowans to access fresh, locally grown food.
“These investments matter because they connect the dots and check many boxes across Iowa’s food system,” said Tommy Hexter. “They support farmers, strengthen local markets, and make it easier for Iowans to access healthy food in their own communities.”
These outcomes are especially important in the context of broader trends in Iowa agriculture. Fewer farms are generating a larger share of production, while smaller and beginning farms face growing challenges in accessing markets and maintaining profitability. Strengthening local and regional food markets is one strategy to support a more diverse and resilient agricultural economy.
While the session included important wins, IFSC also recognizes areas where progress was not achieved. Efforts to advance Right to Repair legislation, which would have expanded farmers’ ability to repair their own equipment and reduce input costs, did not move forward this year after passing the Iowa House with a 70-18 bipartisan vote. IFSC and its partners will continue to support policies that improve farm viability and reduce barriers for producers.
IFSC also acknowledges that wider federal and state policy discussions have created new challenges for some Iowa households, particularly related to food access. In that context, investments in programs like Double Up Food Bucks and Choose Iowa play an even more critical role in supporting Iowans and strengthening the state’s food infrastructure.
As the growing season begins, IFSC will continue working alongside partners across Iowa to expand these efforts and connect policymakers with farmers, food businesses, and communities across the state.
“Progress like this happens because of our strong democratic process in Iowa. Generally, when people show up, their lawmakers listen,” Hexter said. “There is more work ahead, and we are committed to continuing it together to advance Iowa’s role as a national leader in local food systems.”
###
The Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) is a community of over 50 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.
