<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>hub customer Archives - Field to Family</title> <atom:link href="https://fieldtofamily.org/category/hub-customer/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://fieldtofamily.org/category/hub-customer/</link> <description>Your Local Food Hub & Market</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:00:22 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <image> <url>https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FTF-Icon-Green-1-150x150.png</url> <title>hub customer Archives - Field to Family</title> <link>https://fieldtofamily.org/category/hub-customer/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Coralville Community Food Pantry: Creating Dignity with Local Foods</title> <link>https://fieldtofamily.org/coralville-pantry/</link> <comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/coralville-pantry/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jun 2021 19:44:16 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[dig in]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hub customer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[coralville community food pantry]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dignity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[food access]]></category> <category><![CDATA[food pantries]]></category> <category><![CDATA[john boller]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=4180</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>When a community member visits a food pantry, they may not anticipate bringing home bunches of fresh cilantro and cartons of just-picked cherry tomatoes. “People are expecting to get the leftovers,” said John Boller, executive director of the Coralville Community Food Pantry. As of 2016, about 14% of Johnson County residents lacked consistent access to [...]</p> <p><a class="btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link" href="https://fieldtofamily.org/coralville-pantry/">Read More...</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/coralville-pantry/">Coralville Community Food Pantry: Creating Dignity with Local Foods</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="ss-inline-share-wrapper ss-left-inline-content ss-small-icons ss-with-spacing ss-circle-icons ss-without-labels"><div class="ss-inline-share-content"><ul class="ss-social-icons-container"><li class=""><a href="#" aria-label="Facebook" data-ss-ss-link="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?t=Coralville%20Community%20Food%20Pantry%3A%20Creating%20Dignity%20with%20Local%20Foods&u=https%3A%2F%2Ffieldtofamily.org%2Fcategory%2Fhub-customer%2Ffeed%2F" class="ss-facebook-color" rel="nofollow noopener" 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2.857z"></path></svg></i></span></a></li><li class=""><a href="#" aria-label="Copy Link" data-ss-ss-link="https://fieldtofamily.org/category/hub-customer/feed/" class="ss-copy-color" rel="nofollow noopener" data-ss-ss-network-id="copy" data-ss-ss-post-id="4180" data-ss-ss-location="inline_content" data-ss-ss-permalink="https://fieldtofamily.org/category/hub-customer/feed/" data-ss-ss-type="share"> <span class="ss-share-network-content"><i class="ss-network-icon"><svg class="ss-svg-icon" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.313 28v-18.688h-14.625v18.688h14.625zM25.313 6.688c1.438 0 2.688 1.188 2.688 2.625v18.688c0 1.438-1.25 2.688-2.688 2.688h-14.625c-1.438 0-2.688-1.25-2.688-2.688v-18.688c0-1.438 1.25-2.625 2.688-2.625h14.625zM21.313 1.313v2.688h-16v18.688h-2.625v-18.688c0-1.438 1.188-2.688 2.625-2.688h16z"></path></svg></i></span></a></li><li><a href="#" class="ss-share-all ss-shareall-color" rel="nofollow noopener"><span class="ss-share-network-content"><i class="ss-network-icon"><svg class="ss-svg-icon" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.333 15.333h-8v-8c0-0.733-0.6-1.333-1.333-1.333s-1.333 0.6-1.333 1.333v8h-8c-0.733 0-1.333 0.6-1.333 1.333s0.6 1.333 1.333 1.333h8v8c0 0.733 0.6 1.333 1.333 1.333s1.333-0.6 1.333-1.333v-8h8c0.733 0 1.333-0.6 1.333-1.333s-0.6-1.333-1.333-1.333z"></path></svg></i><span class="ss-reveal-label-wrap"><span class="ss-network-label">More</span></span></span></a></li></ul></div></div> <p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3695 aligncenter" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Hai-and-tomatoes-300x225.jpeg" alt="Tomato delivery to Coralville Pantry" width="461" height="346" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Hai-and-tomatoes-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Hai-and-tomatoes-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Hai-and-tomatoes-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Hai-and-tomatoes-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Hai-and-tomatoes.jpeg 1632w" sizes="(max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When a community member visits a food pantry, they may not anticipate bringing home bunches of fresh cilantro and cartons of just-picked cherry tomatoes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“People are expecting to get the leftovers,” said John Boller, executive director of the <a href="https://www.coralvillefoodpantry.org/">Coralville Community Food Pantry</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As of 2016, about 14% of Johnson County residents lacked consistent access to the healthy food they need. Income inequality, transportation and language and difficulty navigating social services create considerable barriers to accessing food and other necessities. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because they believe so strongly in food as a human right, the Coralville Community Food Pantry team will work tirelessly to help community members overcome those challenges</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hunger and poverty are not the individual’s fault,” Boller said. “There’s not a safety net, and unfortunately food pantries are a stronger safety net than they should be.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Boller’s team strives to erase stigma and create dignity for their members, creating a space where every visitor feels welcome and equal. Keeping shelves regularly stocked with fruit and veggies is part of that mission.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not everyone can shop at the farmers market, Boller said, but everyone should be able to enjoy the season’s best. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s always really exciting when we have local produce because it’s always the freshest, most desirable,” Boller said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is local produce more nutritious and desirable Boller said, but it helps the pantry overcome one of its biggest practical challenges: perishability. Picked shortly before delivery, local produce lasts longer on the shelf. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Participating in the “Veggie RX” program is one way the Coralville pantry provides fresh produce. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), essentially a weekly subscription to a farm’s harvest, is cost prohibitive for many low-income community members. Using funding from community partners, the pantry is able to purchase CSA shares from local farmers for enrolled pantry members. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many local farmers donate excess produce to the pantry as well. In addition, Boller regularly orders local fruits and veggies by the case through Field to Family as a wholesale customer. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Being able to purchase from the food hub has been a really wonderful way to get that produce,” Boller said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By logging into the food hub’s online storefront, Boller can see exactly what’s in season year round and shop from many producers with just one click. Free delivery is another perk for the pantry’s small nonprofit team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On occasion, Field to Family is even able to provide free cases of produce to the pantry. The partnership helps the pantry put more local food on its shelves overall, Boller said. </span></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/coralville-pantry/">Coralville Community Food Pantry: Creating Dignity with Local Foods</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://fieldtofamily.org/coralville-pantry/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>A Q&A with Trumpet Blossom Café: Why Chef Katy Meyer sources local</title> <link>https://fieldtofamily.org/trumpet-blossom-cafe/</link> <comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/trumpet-blossom-cafe/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:14:23 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dig in]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hub]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hub customer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[food hub]]></category> <category><![CDATA[plant based]]></category> <category><![CDATA[restaurant]]></category> <category><![CDATA[trumpet blossom cafe]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vegan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[wholesale]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=3872</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>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 [...]</p> <p><a class="btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link" href="https://fieldtofamily.org/trumpet-blossom-cafe/">Read More...</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/trumpet-blossom-cafe/">A Q&A with Trumpet Blossom Café: Why Chef Katy Meyer sources local</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="ss-inline-share-wrapper ss-left-inline-content ss-small-icons ss-with-spacing ss-rounded-icons ss-without-labels"><div class="ss-inline-share-content"><ul class="ss-social-icons-container"><li class=""><a href="#" aria-label="Facebook" data-ss-ss-link="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?t=A%20Q%26A%20with%20Trumpet%20Blossom%20Caf%C3%A9%3A%20Why%20Chef%20Katy%20Meyer%20sources%20local&u=https%3A%2F%2Ffieldtofamily.org%2Fcategory%2Fhub-customer%2Ffeed%2F" class="ss-facebook-color" rel="nofollow noopener" 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7.714c0 2-1.482 3.804-3.054 4.893-2.786 1.929-5.589 3.857-8.357 5.804-1.161 0.804-3.125 2.446-4.571 2.446h-0.036c-1.446 0-3.411-1.643-4.571-2.446-2.768-1.946-5.571-3.875-8.339-5.804-1.268-0.857-3.071-2.875-3.071-4.5 0-1.75 0.946-3.25 2.857-3.25h26.286c1.554 0 2.857 1.286 2.857 2.857z"></path></svg></i></span></a></li><li class=""><a href="#" aria-label="Copy Link" data-ss-ss-link="https://fieldtofamily.org/category/hub-customer/feed/" class="ss-copy-color" rel="nofollow noopener" data-ss-ss-network-id="copy" data-ss-ss-post-id="3872" data-ss-ss-location="inline_content" data-ss-ss-permalink="https://fieldtofamily.org/category/hub-customer/feed/" data-ss-ss-type="share"> <span class="ss-share-network-content"><i class="ss-network-icon"><svg class="ss-svg-icon" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.313 28v-18.688h-14.625v18.688h14.625zM25.313 6.688c1.438 0 2.688 1.188 2.688 2.625v18.688c0 1.438-1.25 2.688-2.688 2.688h-14.625c-1.438 0-2.688-1.25-2.688-2.688v-18.688c0-1.438 1.25-2.625 2.688-2.625h14.625zM21.313 1.313v2.688h-16v18.688h-2.625v-18.688c0-1.438 1.188-2.688 2.625-2.688h16z"></path></svg></i></span></a></li><li><a href="#" class="ss-share-all ss-shareall-color" rel="nofollow noopener"><span class="ss-share-network-content"><i class="ss-network-icon"><svg class="ss-svg-icon" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.333 15.333h-8v-8c0-0.733-0.6-1.333-1.333-1.333s-1.333 0.6-1.333 1.333v8h-8c-0.733 0-1.333 0.6-1.333 1.333s0.6 1.333 1.333 1.333h8v8c0 0.733 0.6 1.333 1.333 1.333s1.333-0.6 1.333-1.333v-8h8c0.733 0 1.333-0.6 1.333-1.333s-0.6-1.333-1.333-1.333z"></path></svg></i><span class="ss-reveal-label-wrap"><span class="ss-network-label">More</span></span></span></a></li></ul></div></div><br /> At <a href="https://www.trumpetblossom.com/">Trumpet Blossom Café</a> 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.</p> <p>Meyer has relationships with several local farmers who provide fresh produce for her cafe’s plant-based dishes. She buys the bulk of her local ingredients from those producers directly. When there’s a gap in her local produce supply, Meyer may call on her local food hub: <a href="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/food-hub/">Field to Family.</a> The Trumpet Blossom Café menu has featured sweet corn, apples and lettuce sourced through Field to Family within the last few seasons.</p> <p>Meyer has been a professional chef and restaurant owner since 2005. Prior to opening Trumpet Blossom Café in 2012, she was co-owner of The Red Avocado for seven years.</p> <p>Read our Q&A with Chef Meyer below to learn more about how and why she chooses local for Trumpet Blossom’s vegan menu!</p> <figure id="attachment_3874" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3874" style="width: 492px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3874" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IA-needs-veg-farms.jpg" alt="Katy Meyer poses at home in an "Iowa Needs Vegetable Farmers" tee" width="492" height="492" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IA-needs-veg-farms.jpg 960w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IA-needs-veg-farms-300x300.jpg 300w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IA-needs-veg-farms-150x150.jpg 150w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IA-needs-veg-farms-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3874" class="wp-caption-text">Photo contributed by Katy Meyer.</figcaption></figure> <p><b>F2F: How does Trumpet Blossom Café take care of the planet and the community?</b></p> <p>Meyer: We try to take care of the environment and the community by providing our customers, and each other, with a safe and comfortable place to enjoy nourishing food that makes us feel good on a basic level and on a more symbiotic level. In an ideal world I would get everything locally/regionally but that is impossible given my current menu and location. I’ve toyed with the idea of eliminating things like tropical fruits and nuts, stuff that has to travel a long way to get here, but for me, for now, it’s more realistic to focus on sourcing as much as I can locally when the season allows and then cutting myself a little slack during the off season. “Cruelty-free” is an unattainable label even when you grow something organically in your backyard. But we believe that offering a 100% plant-based menu is doing far less harm than if we chose to include animal products in our food.</p> <p><strong>F2F: You source from farmers directly, as well as F2F. What are the benefits of both? Why are both necessary?</strong></p> <p>Meyer: It’s great to have relationships with local growers and producers so that you can get to know their products, and they can get to know your needs and preferences, and each party can adapt to the other’s ups and downs and meet in the middle whenever possible. Sometimes it’s difficult to source a certain product or to stay informed about all the community growers have to offer, and that’s when a place like Field to Family can help so much. We’re all part of a local food system that can sustain each contributor’s livelihood and hopefully even help them thrive when given the opportunities to connect and learn from each other.</p> <p>It’s been great working with Field to Family. Everyone I’ve worked with at Field to Family has been easy to work with and very supportive of our efforts as a small business. I’ve always appreciated what Field to Family has done with regards to community outreach and support.</p> <p><strong>F2F: Do the growing practices of farmers you source from matter to you? If so, why? What do you like to see?</strong></p> <p>Meyer: I try to support farmers who use organic growing methods, free from chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. I try to source things that are certified organic and/or non-GMO, but I understand that the certification process can be prohibitive for some growers. It seems that most small farmers in the area are utilizing processes that are more gentle on the environment. I think most folks who choose to grow plants for a living are respectful of the earth because they recognize its inherent beauty and fragility and also its great power.</p> <p><strong>F2F: Why do you care about the environmental impact of food? Was there an “Aha” moment or was it a slower journey?</strong></p> <p>Meyer: I believe that as a conscious being on this planet, to the best of my ability and circumstance at any given time, I owe it to the environment to at least not leave it worse than it was when I got here. As for “aha” moments, I definitely had a moment but it was more of a “what the bleep” moment when I realized the fields and fields of crops we grow in America’s heartland aren’t even suitable for our consumption in their raw forms and are mostly used to feed the animals who are conceived, raised, and killed for people to eat. There is a giant, idyllic filter placed over the landscape to make us think these beautiful, endless fields are feeding us with their abundance and when you strip away that filter and see the harms the reality of monoculture inflict on the environment, well that can be a big “aha”/”what the bleep” moment.</p> <p><strong>F2F: In terms of quality, how would you describe the difference between local and conventional produce ingredients?</strong></p> <p>I like to use the example of a tomato grown in fertile Iowa dirt during the peak of summer, tended to and harvested when it’s just right and placed gently in a crate, still warm and flecked with little bits of that soil, having ridden maybe a mile in a pickup truck to get to the restaurant, for us to rinse gently and slice into and use in a favorite dish — versus — a tomato in January grown thousands of miles away, maybe given the same attention and care, but not picked at the right time and not unique in its shape or hue, traveling on a semi for maybe even days, to sit in a warehouse and then a store and then we get it and sure, it tastes mostly like a tomato but does it taste like a tomato can, like it’s meant to? No. So that’s the difference.</p> <p><strong>F2F: Why should other restaurants source local? What would your advice be to a chef hoping to add more local to the menu?</strong></p> <p>Meyer: My answer to that question is why shouldn’t restaurants source locally? I recognize that sometimes a local ingredient costs more or the availability can fluctuate or it can take a little more digging to find it. And I’m definitely not perfect when it comes to sourcing locally, there’s always more I should be doing–it’s an ongoing process and it takes a few extra steps sometimes. But we have the option and we can keep our resources and energies local so why wouldn’t we do that? A good place to start is to think seasonally and to look at what can be grown and sourced locally at different times of the year and consider incorporating local ingredients when they’re around and also think about ways to preserve the local ingredients to be used throughout the year or look to folks in the community who are doing this already and utilize that resource. Of course reaching out to Field to Family and other similar organizations is a great idea too.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/trumpet-blossom-cafe/">A Q&A with Trumpet Blossom Café: Why Chef Katy Meyer sources local</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://fieldtofamily.org/trumpet-blossom-cafe/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Iowa City Schools Serve Local With a Side of Learning</title> <link>https://fieldtofamily.org/iccsd-customer-feature/</link> <comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/iccsd-customer-feature/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2020 19:43:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Farm to School]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hub customer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[alison demory]]></category> <category><![CDATA[farm to school]]></category> <category><![CDATA[food hub]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ICCSD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[iowa city]]></category> <category><![CDATA[local foods day]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lunch]]></category> <category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[school]]></category> <category><![CDATA[school meals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stout's]]></category> <category><![CDATA[wilson's]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=2799</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>At Iowa City Community School District, learning doesn’t take a lunch break. The food service team works hard to keep education alive in the cafeteria with the help of the Field to Family Food Hub. “I grew up on a farm and I know where my food comes from,” nutrition services director Alison Demory said. [...]</p> <p><a class="btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link" href="https://fieldtofamily.org/iccsd-customer-feature/">Read More...</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/iccsd-customer-feature/">Iowa City Schools Serve Local With a Side of Learning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure id="attachment_2792" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2792" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2792 size-large" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0108-1024x463.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="289" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0108-1024x463.jpg 1024w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0108-300x136.jpg 300w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0108-768x348.jpg 768w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0108-1536x695.jpg 1536w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0108-2048x927.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2792" class="wp-caption-text">Nutrition services director Alison Demory poses with Field to Family director Michelle Kenyon at a Farm to School event.</figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At Iowa City Community School District, learning doesn’t take a lunch b</span>reak. The food service team works hard to keep education alive in the cafeteria with the help of the <a href="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/food-hub/">Field to Family Food Hub. </a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I grew up on a farm and I know where my food comes from,” nutrition services director Alison Demory said. “We’re committed to helping all of our students have that knowledge. It’s such a win-win when we can source from farmers and shine a light on their efforts.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The schools source and serve a wid</span>e variety of kid-friendly local produce in the summer and fall, making sure to let the students and families know about local options on the menu through signage, labelling and face-to-face conversation when possible.</p> <figure id="attachment_2798" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2798" style="width: 379px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2798" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0102-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="379" height="284" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0102-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0102-300x225.jpg 300w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0102-768x576.jpg 768w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_0102-1536x1152.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2798" class="wp-caption-text">An ICCSD lunch tray featuring local yogurt, sweet potato, apples and bell peppers.</figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Iowa City schools’ commitment to local foods has grown greatly under Demory’s leadership. Last year, the district was the Field to Family Food Hub’s top customer. Despite the challenges of 2020, they’ve continued to prioritize serving locals for lunch, offering local options in cafeterias and curbside. On October 14, the schools will celebrate the annual Iowa Local Food Day “holiday” with local yogurt, apples and sweet potatoes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nutrition, of course, is an important reason why. Fruits and vegetables should be a major part of every diet, and schools are required by law to serve produce with every meal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We could check the box by putting any kind of fruit or vegetable in front of them, but if it goes in the trash, no one wins,” Demory said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The local options on the ICCSD menu are not only more nutritious than commodity options, but they often look more appetizing, too. Demory said her team makes sure to prepare them attractively to give students a compelling reason to eat their veggies. A fresh slice of<a href="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/stouts-market/"> Stout’s Market </a>melon or a shiny <a href="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wilsons-orchard-farm/">Wilson’s Orchard</a> apple is hard to pass up. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sometimes the look is all you need,” Demory said. “You eat with your eyes.” </span></p> <figure id="attachment_2800" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2800" style="width: 352px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2800" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Stouts-Watermelon-3-1024x731.png" alt="" width="352" height="252" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Stouts-Watermelon-3-1024x731.png 1024w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Stouts-Watermelon-3-300x214.png 300w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Stouts-Watermelon-3-768x548.png 768w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Stouts-Watermelon-3-1536x1097.png 1536w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Stouts-Watermelon-3.png 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2800" class="wp-caption-text">An example of a lunchroom sign for a local menu item ft. Stout’s Market.</figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes looks aren’t enough, however, which is where the cafeteria’s educational role comes into play. Demory gushed about the colorful heirloom tomatoes the schools source, primarily from Friendly Farm, but said students–and even staff– have been confused by their appearance, even questioning whether some of the darkest fruits have gone bad. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In reality, the colorful tomatoes showcase the diversity of local food and offer a chance for students to learn about less common veggies. By procuring a wide range of crops, from ultra familiar apples to those more untraditional varieties, Demory is able to expose students to healthy options they might not get at home. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a school, we have an obligation to teach students what a healthy diet should look like,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Demory said the Field to Family Food Hub has been vital in allowing the schools to procure the quantity and variety of local produce they do, and that she doesn’t believe the district could procure so much without it. The Hub helps coordinate with farmers to make sure they grow enough to meet the districts’ demand, provides super simple online ordering options and delivers products right to the dock. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We just so appreciate the partnership and their help,” Demory said.</span></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/iccsd-customer-feature/">Iowa City Schools Serve Local With a Side of Learning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://fieldtofamily.org/iccsd-customer-feature/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Connection with UI Builds Vital Support for One Local Farmer</title> <link>https://fieldtofamily.org/ui-customer-feature/</link> <comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/ui-customer-feature/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2020 21:52:34 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[dig in]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hub]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hub customer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[all seasons harvest]]></category> <category><![CDATA[aquaponic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Barry Greenberg]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brian Moulds]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cold prep]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lettuce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Michael Graham]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UIHD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[university of iowa]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=2651</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The University of Iowa’s commitment to sourcing local produce creates a powerful connection between local farmers and the students and personnel the university feeds every day, a connection that benefits all involved. University of Iowa chefs cite freshness and quality among their reasons for buying local. Scholars receive nutritious meals to fuel their minds and [...]</p> <p><a class="btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link" href="https://fieldtofamily.org/ui-customer-feature/">Read More...</a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/ui-customer-feature/">Connection with UI Builds Vital Support for One Local Farmer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure id="attachment_2656" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2656" style="width: 315px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2656" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020_02_07-Dining-Hillcrest-Food-Shoot-jatorner-0973-e1598392276253.jpg" alt="" width="315" height="278" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020_02_07-Dining-Hillcrest-Food-Shoot-jatorner-0973-e1598392276253.jpg 487w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020_02_07-Dining-Hillcrest-Food-Shoot-jatorner-0973-e1598392276253-300x265.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2656" class="wp-caption-text">Hillcrest Market Place Commercial Food Shoot, Feb 2020 Hand tossed salad. Photo by Justin Torner.</figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The University of Iowa’s commitment to sourcing local produce creates a powerful connection between local farmers and the students and personnel the university feeds every day, a connection that benefits all involved. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">University of Iowa chefs cite freshness and quality among their reasons for buying local. Scholars receive nutritious meals to fuel their minds and bodies as they teach and learn. And for one local farmer, the partnership provides a vital source of steady income that’s helped keep his business alive. </span></p> <figure id="attachment_2659" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2659" style="width: 116px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2659" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/barry_greenberg.jpg" alt="" width="116" height="116" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/barry_greenberg.jpg 250w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/barry_greenberg-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 116px) 100vw, 116px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2659" class="wp-caption-text">Chef Greenberg.</figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The university sources a wide variety of local produce from the Field to Family Food Hub to serve all around campus, from residence hall marketplaces to special events. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We definitely see a difference between local and items that are brought in using conventional methods,” said UI Executive Chef Barry Greenberg. “The local items have a longer shelf life, as they are harvested just a day or two before being delivered to us.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Among UI Housing and Dining institutions, the Cold Food Production Kitchen perhaps has the most reach of all, serving as a central support kitchen that prepares items for dining halls, retail outlets and catering operations. Retail Chef Michael Graham has sourced local peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and zucchini through Field to Family, used to make salads, sandwiches and prepped snacks distributed all around campus. </span></p> <figure id="attachment_2658" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2658" style="width: 118px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2658" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/michael_graham-1.jpg" alt="" width="118" height="118" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/michael_graham-1.jpg 250w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/michael_graham-1-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 118px) 100vw, 118px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2658" class="wp-caption-text">Chef Graham.</figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In recent years, nearly anyone who’s picked up a ready-made salad– a staple grab-n-go option at UI retail locations–has met the Food Hub farmers at All Seasons Harvest via their lettuce mix. The Cold Food Production Kitchen buys several cases almost weekly. </span></p> <figure id="attachment_2657" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2657" style="width: 319px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2657" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/img_8323.jpg" alt="" width="319" height="308" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/img_8323.jpg 450w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/img_8323-300x290.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2657" class="wp-caption-text">AllSeasons Harvest Lettuce growing in an aquaponic set up. Photo courtesy of Brian Moulds.</figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s just been really nice that each week we can count on that business,” said All Seasons Harvest’s Brian Moulds. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All Seasons Harvest is a midsized producer located north of Cedar Falls that produces lettuce and other veggies. The operation uses aquaponics, a “way green” method (to use Mould’s words) in which food grows above fish tanks, cleaning fish waste out of the water and using it as fertilizer. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Too small to sell to major retailers but too large to survive through farmers market sales alone, All Seasons Harvest almost went under last summer. Moulds said his partnership with Field to Family and the university essentially saved his business. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> “When a major institution like the UI commits to local foods, the benefits ripple through our local food economy,” said Giselle Bruskewitz, Food Hub Manager. “Access to that kind of wholesale market can provide the stability our farmers need to succeed.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All parties involved — from farmer to consumer– will continue to benefit from maintaining this connection for years to come. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our department prides itself on being culinary focused and using local Iowa products,” Greenberg said. </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/ui-customer-feature/">Connection with UI Builds Vital Support for One Local Farmer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://fieldtofamily.org/ui-customer-feature/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>