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 another day if it works better for you—National Farm to School Month lasts all through October.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship initiated Iowa Local Food Day in 2018. They wanted to bring together all sectors of farm to school to celebrate Iowa-grown food. Here’s a report on 2020’s Iowa Local Food Day impacts.

Iowa Local Food Day:

1. Provides a strong support network
2. Aids food service directors in local food procurement
3. Engages farmers in growing and selling to schools
4. Helps farmers ramp up school sales by working on a smaller scale with Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP)
5. Allows farm to school activities to expand beyond fruits and vegetables
6. Raises awareness of farm to school across the state

Anyone can participate

Iowa Local Food Day invites participation and support from all parts of the community: school food service staff, local farmers and volunteers/parents. Get ideas and sign up on the Iowa Local Food Day website.

Tip: Food hubs are ready to help schools with their local food goals. They are the local food experts! Find a hub near you on our Iowa Food Hub Directory.

Teresa Wiemerslage, extension field specialist, added, “We are looking for schools willing to host a local legislator at their event. Sign up early to be considered as a featured school.” Contact Teresa with any questions about Iowa Local Food Day or other farm to school and ECE efforts.

Here’s more info on Iowa Local Food Day, including an informational video for participants.