🍅 The 2026 Iowa Local Food Challenge Is Closed...

...but local food season never really ends! Sign up for the Iowa Food System Coalition's newsletter for updates on Iowa's food system, local food opportunities, and to be the first to know when the Challenge returns in 2027.

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Challenge Complete

Thank you, Iowa! 🍅

Here's what we accomplished together, one small shift at a time.

Final total
$0
$200K Goal ★
0% of goal
—
Participants
—
Market Season Total
Each participant committed to a weekly local food budget for 25 weeks. Together, Iowans pledged the total above in local food purchases across the state.
The challenge is closed, but local food season never is.
Find Local Food Near You

  • 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.