Iowa sees significant drop in farm to school sales in 2021. Farm to school sales from Iowa food hubs were cut in half in 2021, following the loss of state and federal funding. In 2020, seven food hubs sold food to 57 schools, compared to 26 schools, colleges and early-care sites in 2021, according to … Continue reading Farm to School Sales Decline without Incentives
Iowa Local Food Day is October 13 and sign-up is open! To participate, sites must serve just two local foods that day, for breakfast or lunch (excluding milk). Local food on salad bars and taste-tests count toward the two items served. Don’t forget to include what’s growing in your school garden. Note: You can celebrate … Continue reading Register now for Iowa Local Food Day October 13
by Natalie Schneiter and Teresa Wiemerslage For several years now, Turkey Valley schools in northeast Iowa have participated in a farm to school cross-age teaching program. Teams of high school students lead lessons for elementary students featuring foods from local farms and businesses. Thanks to generous donations from the Turkey Valley Education Foundation, this program has … Continue reading Cross-age farm to school lessons continued at Turkey Valley despite pandemic
Institutional buyers of fresh, whole produce need assurances that growers followed safe food handling practices during production, harvest and delivery. These buyers may include the food service staff at schools, hospitals, care facilities and others. The US Food and Drug Administration offers guidelines for farmers to follow, known as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). But third-party … Continue reading New tool helps food service evaluate on-farm food safety practices