The Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom is proud to feature local Iowa foods duirng the month of October. The Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management Quantity Food Production Laboratory and HRIM Extension have partnered to bring some of Iowa's harvest to your table as part of Iowa State University Farm to ISU program. This is one way to support Iowa food producers.

"Serving locally produced foods provides an educational opportunity for our students to better understand food production and increases their awareness of where food comes from," said John Kramer, coordinator of the Quantity Food Production Laboratory. "As someone in charge of a retail foodservice, I appreciate the opportunity to provide these fresh quality foods to our customers and keep food dollars in our community."

Dean and Judy Henry operate the Berry Patch farm outside of Nevada. They provided apples that were used in several menu items during the month: Apple Caramel Crisp on October 8th, Pear and Apple Salad on October 18th, and Baked Apple dessert served October 29th. Varieties of apples enjoyed were Jonathan, Chieftain, and Golden Delicious.

The Berry Patch Farm has grown strawberries, raspberries, vegetables and apples since 1970. Visit their farm or meet them at one of the many local farmer's markets in central Iowa. Sustainable farming techniques are used in all crops. Some are produced organically and other crops are produced utilizing the latest integrated pest management techniques (IPM). Drip irrigation makes the best use of our pure well water to produce top quality apples and berries.

The Berry Patch Farm has been awarded the District Soil Conservation Award and is an active member of many organizations, including Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, North American Strawberry Growers Association (Board of Directors), and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

The Berry Patch Farm
62785 280th Street
Nevada, Iowa
berry.patch@midiowa.net

Directions:

From Ames, take highway 30 east to S14. Turn right, south 4 miles to 280 Street. Turn left, east 3/4 miles to our driveway.

From Des Moines, take highway I-35 north to exit 102. Turn right on 120 highway. East 6 miles to highway S 14. Turn left, north 5 miles to 280th Street. Turn right, east 3/4 miles to our driveway.

There are signs at the intersection of higway 30 and S14, and at the intersection of 210 and S14.