Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig toured Field to Family’s facility on Friday, Feb. 5 to discuss getting more food grown close to home on Iowans’ plates.
Staff was thrilled to share the organization’s story, introduce local stakeholders and talk about what it takes to connect farmers and buyers on-the-ground.
By managing purchase, aggregation, distribution and delivery, Field to Family’s food hub program helps institutions like schools, businesses and the University of Iowa put more local food on their menus.
“There’s a certain amount of infrastructure involved in local foods,” Secretary Naig said at the event. “Once you build it, that’s a basis to build new relationships between the producers and bigger customers.”
Farm to school a shared priority
Secretary Naig showed particular interest in Field to Family’s farm to school work. He was enthusiastic about the nonprofit’s holistic approach to connecting students with local food and farmers.
“Field to Family is unique in that we provide local foods at the wholesale level while also providing in-school education, bringing farmers to schools to help educate young Iowans as to where their food comes from,” said director Michelle Kenyon. “We are a partner in the state’s effort to encourage Iowans to choose local.”
Secretary Naig spoke directly with Debbie Klein, food service director at Clear Creek Amana Community School District, to learn more about Field to Family’s impact on local schools. Other guests included City of Iowa City Assistant City Manager Ashley Monroe and Johnson County Supervisor Pat Heiden. Marcus Johnson of Buffalo Ridge Orchard shared a message from his farm as well.
The importance of public investment in food hubs
Additionally, Naig learned more about how hubs leverage public funding to create a more resilient and sustainable Iowa. Food hub infrastructure helps farmers access new customers, reduces environmental impact and keeps food dollars local.
In order to raise more produce, meat and dairy in-state, allowing citizens to eat locally and import less, Iowa needs to invest in building and expanding local food infrastructure. Field to Family urged the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to further invest in food hubs and to continue a conversation with food hub leadership in the state.
“The benefits of food hubs go beyond one county or one city, into larger connected regions of farmers, eaters and institutions,” food hub sales and partnerships manager Giselle Bruskewitz said. “That’s why state-level support is so vital.”
Click here to view a handout from Field to Family stressing the importance of public investment in food hubs.