Iowa Local Food Programs

a national information resource for value-added agriculture

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Cities Developing Urban Agriculture Codes

Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to deal with vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods, and provide job skills and nutrition to local residents struggling with poverty and a lack of access to fresh produce.

In Austin, Texas, a working group of the Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting to clarify and update city code related to urban farms, livestock, size of farm, employees and dwellings, according to the Austin Chronicle.

The working group has been holding public sessions to gather input from urban farmers and community members about pending updates to the urban farm ordinance.

In April 2013, the Flint Farmers' Market reported that the Detroit City Council adopted the city's first urban agriculture zoning ordinance recognizing agriculture as a legitimate land use and setting standards for it.

Other cities working to update or create urban agriculture codes include Boston, Massachusetts;
Fort Collins, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon.

For more information, see USDA's National Ag Library webpage on Urban Agriculture.

Home » Markets & Industries » Food » State Local/Regional Food Programs » Iowa Local Food Programs

Statewide Agencies

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Food and Consumer Safety Bureau - Processing applications and inspections of food processing plants and food establishments.

Statewide Programs

Buy Fresh Buy Local - Aa marketing program for farmers selling directly to consumers, grocery stores and other institutions.
Drake University Agriculture Law Center, Greater Des Moines Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign - Local and state food policy.
Edible Iowa River Valley - A seasonal magazine dedicated to recognizing, preserving and revitalizing the flavors of the Heartland.
Grow Your Small Market Farm TM Network - Farmer-led fruit and vegetable processing.
Iowa Farm to School Program - Local chapters throughout the state help to connect the local food network with local students.
Iowa Food Policy Council - Develops and recommends policy and programming for food system that supports healthier Iowans, communities, economies and environments.
Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association - Supports research and educational opportunities for fruit and vegetable growers.
Iowa Network for Community Agriculture - Creates connections among Iowans to create healthy, fair and sustainable local food systems.
Iowa State University Department of Horticulture - Education programs for small acreage farmers and promotes fresh fruit and vegetables.
Iowa State University University Extension - Small Farm Sustainability - Holds workshops dealing with sustainable farming, farmers' market vendors/managers and rotational grazing.
Iowa State University Families Extension - Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management - Research, presentations and publications related to use of locally sourced foods by retail food service establishments.
Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program - Assist producers, processors and marketers in recommendations for organic ag and local food production.
Iowa State University Value Added Agriculture Program - Provide leadership and vision for value-added agriculture education and business development.
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture - Support education, conduct research and assist in developing alternative practices.
Practical Farmers of Iowa - Horticulture clusters and production programming, field days, on-farm research and demonstrations.
Value Chain Partnership - Pork Niche Market, Regional Food Systems, Small Meat Processors, Fruit and Vegetable and Grass-Based Working Groups.

County-Specific Programs

County of Marshall Investing in Diversified Agriculture (COMIDA) - Organizes community-wide local food discussions, develops and implements beginning farmer training program.
Grinnell Area Local Foods Alliance (GALFA) - Publishes directory of local food producers who market locally.
Hometown Harvest of Southeast Iowa - Producers surveys, producer and public outreach and education, promoting local family farms.
Iowa Valley Regional Food Initiative (I-Food) - Research regional local food needs and resources, and develop a sustainable regional food plan.
ISU Dining- Farm to ISU and Buy Fresh Buy Local Central Iowa - ISU Dining's initiative to increase its purchases of local sustainable and organic foods.
Johnson County Local Food Alliance, - Fosters a more local, more sustainable food economy in Johnson and surrounding counties.
Local Foods Connections, South central and Southeast Iowa - Working to make locally made healthy food available to low-income communities and learn how to best prepare fresh food for the most health benefits.
Northeast Iowa Farm & Food Coalition - Plans and partners with local organizations and food producers to provide and promote a variety of seasonal workshops for the region.
Northern Iowa Food & Farm Partnership - Supports the development of a local and regional food economy that positively impacts local farmers, consumers and businesses through education, collaboration and economic development.
Slow Food Iowa City, Eastern Iowa - Trying to reconnect the consumers with the people and traditions and resources that produce our food.
Southwest Iowa Food and Farm Initiative (SWIFFI) - Building a sustainable regional food system linking production, distribution and consumption for better health, food security and economic development.

Developed October 2009.

Partially Funded by USDA Rural Development
...and justice for all.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.

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