New Staff Alert! Field to Family is proud to introduce our new Operations Manager, Emily! We are excited to welcome a fresh member to our team who is as passionate about local food systems as we are! As Operations Manager, Emily serves a vital role in connecting farmers and producers with our local community to […]
Shopping online has become increasingly popular among consumers, but selling products digitally comes with its own perks, too. Small-scale farmers and business owners can attest: online local foods sales are a win-win for shoppers and vendors alike. In fact, strong demand from vendors was a major factor driving Field to Family to offer a second […]
What the hay are cover crops? What’s the difference between produce that’s Certified Organic or organically grown? Scroll through to learn more about some common sustainable farming practices in Iowa. Want to learn more about your favorite farmers’ practices? Check out the producer page on our online storefront for more information about our […]
A beekeeper’s secret to a bountiful hive: tuning into nature’s seasonal cues. Paying close attention to things like solstice dates, bud bursts and even animal calls can help beekeepers not only produce more honey (yum!) but cultivate abundant bee populations. West Des Moines beekeeper Julia McGuire is on a mission to better understand phenology, the […]
At Trumpet Blossom Café in Iowa City, the menu changes seasonally, even daily, but it almost always features locally sourced ingredients. Chef and owner Katy Meyer is committed to taking care of the planet, serving high-quality food to her customers and participating in our region’s thriving local food system. Meyer has relationships with several local […]
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a growing model of direct-marketing for farmers growing diversified crops. As a consumer/fan of local food, however, you might have some questions about getting involved. Learn more about Community Supported Agriculture below, and be sure to check out Field to Family’s CSA Guide to explore CSA options in Iowa City, Cedar […]
If you’ve been enjoying the Online Farmers Market yourself, why not share the joy of local food and farm products with your loved ones this holiday season? From stocking stuffers to gift sets and everything in between, our vendors have a wide variety of gift-ready products available for sale. We encourage you to use this […]
Winter is coming; it’s time to stock up. There may be only a few Online Farmers Markets left, but you can keep local food on the table all winter long if you start preparing now. Check out our tips below, and remember that spending more now not only gives our vendors a late-season boost, but […]
In Iowa and elsewhere, racial injustice has a long, deep history within the entire food system, from farm to table. Some notable examples include: White Americans own about 98% of farmland—land that was colonized and stolen from Indigenous peoples. Less than 2% of American farmers are black. Less than 1% of U.S. farmland is black-owned. […]
***Please note that this guide was created for the summer of 2020! While much of the information provided may still be relevant, much will be out of date.*** The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has made the importance of supporting your favorite small businesses clearer than ever before. It has reinforced the value of staying healthy, too. […]