Can Iowa's food system actually supply schools at scale?

Yes. Iowa already has a network of farmers, food hubs, and distributors supplying schools through programs such as Local Food for Schools. These partnerships demonstrated that schools can reliably source Iowa-grown products when funding prioritizes local purchasing. A statewide program would build on existing infrastructure rather than creating something entirely new.

Does farm to school purchasing work for small or rural districts?

Yes. Iowa's Local Food for Schools program included small rural districts as well as larger districts. Food hubs and intermediary partners helped make local procurement feasible across a wide range of school sizes.

Will Local Food Purchasing Incentives increase costs for schools?

The program is designed to offset costs, not add to them. Local food can sometimes carry a higher upfront price, but reimbursement and matching structures help schools prioritize Iowa-grown products without straining existing meal budgets.

How is local food defined for Iowa farm to school policy?

For the purposes of state-funded programs, local food should generally align with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Choose Iowa definition of food that is grown, raised, or made within the state of Iowa. IFSC also supports consideration of regional flexibility for farms and food businesses in Iowa's bordering counties when appropriate.

Why should taxpayers support Local Food Purchasing Incentives?

Schools are already publicly funded and already purchasing food. Local Food Purchasing Incentives help keep more existing school food dollars circulating within Iowa communities, supporting farmers, food businesses, regional infrastructure, and local economies while strengthening Iowa's food system over time.

Farm to School Policy in Iowa | Iowa Food System Coalition

Farm to School Policy

BUILDING IOWA’S FARM TO SCHOOL ECONOMY

A Policy Brief on Farm to School Purchasing Incentives

Iowa is one of the most productive agricultural states in the country, yet much of the food Iowans eat is grown, processed, or packaged somewhere else. At the same time, small and mid-sized farms continue to face shrinking margins, limited market access, and a food economy largely built around scale, specialization, and long supply chains.

Local Food Purchasing Incentives offer a practical way to begin changing that by strengthening one of Iowa’s most consistent public food markets: schools.

Iowa schools feed thousands of children every day. Farm to school policy helps turn those meals into a practical investment in Iowa farmers, local food markets, child nutrition, and rural communities.

When schools purchase Iowa-grown food, they create reliable markets for farmers, support more diverse farm production, strengthen regional food infrastructure, and help more children access fresh, nutritious meals. Farm to school connects food policy, farm policy, child nutrition, and rural economic development in one practical strategy.

What this brief covers

Why school meals are a practical local food market opportunity
Lessons from Iowa’s Local Food for Schools program
A policy recommendation for a stronger Local Food Purchasing Incentive
Conditions needed for successful implementation
Pathways for future expansion

Who this is for

The Iowa Food System Coalition’s Local Food Policy Network team developed this policy framework to help candidates, policymakers, school leaders, and community partners understand how Local Food Purchasing Incentives can strengthen Iowa’s farm to school economy.

Contact

For questions about this brief or Iowa farm to school policy, contact:

Tommy Hexter
Executive Director, Iowa Food System Coalition
director@iowafoodsystemcoalition.org

Tommy helps connect inquiries with the appropriate Iowa-based partners, including food hubs, school nutrition programs, farm-to-school practitioners, producers, and food access organizations.

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