Local food policy Network

Iowans care about important factors that influence the health and vitality of our communities, our neighbors, and our environment. Reports continue to reveal that food system outcomes contradict many of the goals for community health and resiliency (Schmidt, 2023). Food system outcomes depend on choices made by producers, many partners along the food supply chain, and consumers, as well as policy makers. To transform the current food system, policies are needed to address major challenges and to invest in the multitude of opportunities that exist (Swinnen, 2020).

Those who want to inform and shape change must be organized and intentional.

• While the 2011 Local Food & Farm Plan laid out an extensive list of recommendations, it did not include a policy/advocacy component. The legislature’s 2011 allocation of $75,000 in Local Food & Farm plan support remained flat until renewed policy efforts in 2021.

• Policy provides a critical connecting lens across all priority chapters in Setting the Table for All Iowans. Having a local food policy network actively engaging all other priority teams, expanding advocacy leadership training, and fostering connectivity across local food councils and coalitions in Iowa will increase capacity for collective impact on matters central to the food system change envisioned.

• Policy work requires an understanding of the levers of governing. An active network of food policy councils and coalitions in Iowa are important sources of local experience and insight into effective strategies both at the local, municipal, and state level. Fostering a learning community through the network will increase strategic capacity and success.

The Local Food Policy Network priority team is dedicated to fostering expanded partnerships and creating capacity to support the outlined strategies. This team is currently led by the Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Hunger Coalition, Johnson County Local Food Team, and welcomes others who are also playing a critical role in and interested in contributing to this space.

• Tommy Hexter, Iowa Farmers Union

• Luke Elzinga, Des Moines Area Religious Council and Iowa Hunger Coalition

• Ilsa DeWald, Johnson County Local Food & Farm Program

To achieve our goals of food system transformation through policy, we have determined the following four strategies and actions are urgently needed.

Strategy 1: Coordinate a state level effort to identify, document, and analyze existing policies related to food systems issues led by the Local Food Policy Network of the Iowa Food System Coalition.

Strategy 2: Create partnerships and support legislation needed for food systems policy change.

Strategy 3: Strengthen Advocacy Networks around aligned food systems policies.

Strategy 4: Network local food policy councils and community-based food coalitions.

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Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network

Center for Rural Affairs

Des Moines Area Religious Council

Iowa Department of Health & Human Services

• Healthy Iowans

Iowa Farmers Union

Iowa Hunger Coalition

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development

• Farm to School & Early Care Coalition

Johnson County Food & Farm Program

• Johnson County Local Food Policy Council

Lutheran Services of Iowa, Global Greens Program

Regional Food System Working Group

Southern Iowa Resource Conservation & Development

• Since 1999, coalition collaboration and food policy councils have played a key role in advancing Iowa’s local and regional food system development.

• Since 2021, Iowa has invested $5.9 million in local and regional food system support. The increase of state investment in local foods has corresponded with growing organization of policy development and advocacy.

• Initial IFSC policy priorities have included funding of the Iowa Farm to School fund, advocating for fruit and vegetable processing, advocating for value chain coordinators, supporting rural grocers, and adaptation within the Choose Iowa Grant program to increase equitable access to resources.

• Read the Existing Conditions section in this chapter to learn about these and other important details about this priority.

Participants in the Iowa Food System Coalition work together, rely upon each other, and hold one another accountable in the work to advance the priorities of the Iowa Food System Plan. Interested in working together to advance a thriving, equitable food system in Iowa? Fill out our Interest Form here.