2025 Legislative session recommendations

The Iowa Food System Coalition is a group of more than 40 partners representing farmers, government, universities, public health advocates, food banks and pantries, public schools and more. Together, we see a huge opportunity to grow and strengthen our agricultural traditions, improve our collective health, and boost our economy by diversifying what we grow in our state.

Our aim is to expand local food production and consumption, drive economic growth, and improve our state’s health and resilience.

Developing and supporting a local food system in Iowa should be a cornerstone of Iowa’s agriculture policy. To this end, IFSC has developed four legislative policy asks for the 2025 session.

Fund and make permanent the Choose Iowa Purchasing Program

The Choose Iowa Purchasing Program is a pilot program designed to connect Iowa’s food banks with Choose Iowa farmer and processor members to help alleviate food insecurity within our communities. The pilot program was funded in the 2024 session with an initial investment of $225,000 and a 1:1 match by the food banks. An additional $75,000 will be made available to schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

IFSC recommends making the pilot program permanent and increasing funding for the Purchasing Program.

Increase funding for the Choose Iowa Value-Added Grant Program

Choose Iowa Grants exist to identify, evaluate and financially support programs and services that add value to agricultural products, enable new technologies and support alternative marketing strategies. These cost-share grants leverage additional private investment and were created to assist Iowa farmers, businesses and nonprofits with their efforts to increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings, expand markets and shorten the supply chain.

IFSC recommends increasing funding for the Choose Iowa Value-Added program and creating exceptions to the 1:1 match and reimbursement required by farms and processors to receive the grant.

Boost support for rural grocery stores, shared-use kitchens, and processing through the Rural Innovation Grant Program

Rural Innovation Grants focus on food access through specific awards designated for rural grocery stores and rural food processors. Currently, the grant allows a one-time application opportunity.

IFSC and partners including the Center for Rural Affairs will introduce legislation in the 2025 session to advance the longevity of the program and to further invest in rural communities, specifically through shared-use kitchens and rural grocery stores.

Provide state investment in the Double Up Food Bucks Program

Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) is a program that doubles the value of federal SNAP benefits spent at participating farmers markets and grocery stores, helping people bring home more fruits and vegetables, while also supporting local farmers.

IFSC recommends restoring state investment in the program.