Iowa Food System Coalition Announces Legislative Priorities December 10, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Schwartz, Iowa Food System Coalition Executive Director
Email: director@iowafoodsystemcoalition.org
Iowa Food System Coalition Announces Legislative Priorities
December 10, 2024
Agriculture in Iowa is a recognized economic engine and growing things is what our farmers do. Yet there are significant untapped opportunities in Iowa—with our rich soils and abundant water, we could become a major hub for nutritious food production in the U.S., promoting health and thriving businesses with Iowa-raised produce, proteins, and grains.
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.
“There’s grassroots power in working with so many people from different areas of the food system, from farmers to professors, non-profit leaders to small business owners,” said Tommy Hexter of the Iowa Farmers Union, a partner of the IFSC. “The result is four feasible, impactful policy recommendations and hundreds of Iowans directly advocating for a healthier, more local food system in our state.”
1. Continue funding 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.
2. Increase funding in 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.
3. 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.
4. Fund Double Up Food Bucks
According to Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative Double Up Food Bucks 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 state investment in the program.
Click here to find more information on these policy requests or contact IFSC for more information and resources on these policy requests, including connections with experts (farmers and policy experts).
