2026 Policy Priorities

1. Strengthen Local Food Markets

We import a tremendous amount of the food we eat in Iowa into the state. With targeted investment, Iowa’s network of aggregators, distributors, and small-scale processors can capture more of the $12.6 billion Iowans spend on food each year, while providing healthier foods to our communities. 

• The Facts:

• The LFPA and LFS programs invested in Iowa’s food hub network in 2024, resulting in $4,339,742 million in sales. This reflects the vast potential of food hubs to aggregate and distribute regional products, and helped build permanent infrastructure in the state. (These programs were not continued into 2025).

• Every dollar spent on Iowa-grown food generates $1.47 in economic activity, which strengthens Iowa’s rural communities and keeps money in the state.

• Iowa has 1,461 active farms and food businesses specializing in local and regional markets, important businesses that anchor our rural communities and make our agricultural industry more resilient.

• Choose Iowa (IDALS’ statewide branding and marketing program) has 285 farm members actively working to connect Iowa-grown food with consumers.

• In 2024, IDALS received 99 eligible Value-Added Grant requests totaling $1.74 million (more than 4x the available funding). Since launching in 2022, the program has awarded $1.64 million in cost-share to support 100 projects, leveraging $5.6 million in total investment to expand local production and processing.

• Policy Goal: To grow markets for local food by expanding programs that support food farmers, educate the public, and strengthen the infrastructure that moves food from farm to plate.

• Help more Iowa-grown foods reach value-added production by expanding Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants for farmers, food hubs, and small processors.

• Improve grocery-store visibility for Iowa products through stronger Choose Iowa labeling, branding, and retail partnerships.

• Measure how much of our food is imported by commissioning a statewide food import study. 

• Set a statewide goal to reach 20% Iowa-grown food by 2035.

• Expand upon existing consumer educational programs to highlight Iowa-grown foods and why it matters for our economy and health. 

• Strengthen the infrastructure that moves food from farm to plate by committing support for aggregation, processing, distribution, and cold storage capacity.

2. Support the Next Generation of Iowa Farmers

Many Iowa farmers are aging out, but there’s a new generation eager to step up. What they lack isn’t passion, but access to land, affordable capital, mentorship, and markets that support the kind of diversified, community-focused farm businesses they want to build. As land prices remain high and farmland changes hands, Iowa needs proactive solutions that keep operations in local hands and give emerging farmers a fair chance to implement good stewardship over the land.

• The Facts

• Only 5% of landowners are under 44 years old while 66% are over age 65;, reflecting a rapidly aging land base and a very narrow pipeline of younger landowners positioned to shape Iowa’s future food and farm landscape.

• Iowa lost about 275 acres of farm land every day between 2017 and 2022, meaning fewer acres are available each year for new and beginning farmers to start food-focused operations. (Census of Agriculture, 2017 - 2022)

• Only 0.040% of Iowa’s harvested cropland (9,399 acres) is used to grow fruits, vegetables, nuts, and berries, underscoring how limited land access is for farmers who want to grow food for their communities. (Census of Agriculture, 2022)

• Just 35% of Iowa’s assessed waters meet quality standards, and 80% the nitrates in Iowa’s waters come from agriculture. Diversifying agriculture opens opportunities for practices that lower nitrogen load and prioritize soil and water conservation. 

• Policy Goal: Create meaningful pathways to land and capital for emerging and transitioning farmers.

• Support Farm Incubator and Apprenticeship Programs to train and develop new food farmers.

• Pivot already established Beginning Farmer and new Land Access Tax Credits towards effective incentives for intergenerational land transfer and for emerging food farmers to utilize.

• Support immigrant and refugee populations willing and able to farm food in Iowa

3. Invest in Iowans Feeding Iowans

Iowa farmers feeding Iowa families — that’s the heart of a resilient food system. Programs like Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), and the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program connect local farmers to their communities, strengthen rural economies, and ensure healthy food access for all Iowans. With federal changes creating uncertainty, Iowa needs stable, long-term investments to keep these programs strong.

• The Facts:

• 11,183 Iowans used Double Up Food Bucks in 2025.

• Over $390,000 in DUFB incentives redeemed at Farm Direct sites (farmers markets, farm stands, etc.), directly supporting Iowa farmers.

• The Choose Iowa Farm to School pilot connected 33 schools with local farms, introducing thousands of students to local food.

• The Choose Iowa Farm to Food Banks Program has invested $425,000 in matching funds to Iowa's food banks in the first two years of the program, providing nutritious local food to Iowans facing hunger and food insecurity.

• Policy Goal: Support and sustain local food access programs that connect farmers and families.

• Make long-term state investments in Double Up Food Bucks to ensure sustainable support for both farmers and families.

• Protect SNAP and essential feeding programs that many Iowans rely on for stable access to nutritious food.

• Strengthen Choose Iowa Purchasing Programs across institutions and make Choose Iowa Farm to School a permanent, statewide program with dedicated funding.