🍅 Local food doesn't just taste better — it does more.

It supports farmers, strengthens local markets, and keeps more of the $12.6 billion Iowans spend on food each year right here in our communities.

Take the Iowa Local Food Challenge. Choose your weekly commitment and we'll help you find local food, try simple recipes, and turn small choices into real impact.

By joining the challenge, minimal information will be shared on our public tracker to celebrate participation across Iowa. Your information is never shared.

Get challenge resources, local food tips, and updates by email.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.

Iowans are stepping up, one small shift at a time 🍅
Find Local Food Near You
$0 Stretch Goal: $500,000
0%
$200K MET ★
—
Participants
—
Market Season Total
Each participant commits to a weekly local food budget for 25 weeks. Together, we're building toward $500,000 in local food purchases across Iowa.

  • There is no single right answer. For this challenge, local food can include produce, meat, eggs, dairy, bread, coffee, flowers, value-added products, restaurant meals, and more from Iowa farms and food businesses. See how IFSC defines local >

  • Not at all. The goal is progress, not perfection. Participants choose what works for their budget, schedule, and lifestyle.

  • Because your participation helps show the strength and visibility of Iowa’s local food movement. Every participant helps demonstrate growing support for Iowa farmers, food businesses, and local food systems across the state.

  • Local food can still be accessible through food hubs, farm stores, CSAs, local restaurants, grocery stores carrying Iowa-grown products, online ordering, and more. We’ve gathered resources from partners across Iowa to help you find options near you.

  • Yes. Supporting restaurants that prioritize Iowa-grown ingredients absolutely counts.

  • Yes. Many Iowa farms produce flowers, soaps, candles, honey, jams, baked goods, and other locally made products. Supporting those businesses is part of supporting Iowa’s local food economy.

  • The Iowa Local Food Challenge helps raise awareness about Iowa’s local food system, connect people to farms and food businesses, celebrate seasonal food, and demonstrate the growing demand for stronger local food systems across the state.

  • Visit our Find Local Food page to explore directories, food hubs, CSAs, farmers markets, farm stores, restaurants, and more: iowafoodsystemcoalition.org/find-local-food-iowa

  • The Iowa Local Food Challenge runs throughout the growing season, but you can join anytime.