Research and Reports
Click the links below to access research and reports on Iowa Farm to School efforts.
Local Food for Schools Round 1 Progress Report
The Local Food for Schools program launched in September 2022 and provided K-12 schools up to $8000 to purchase foods from local farms. Iowa used a farmer-focused model where food hubs acted as the primary award sponsors and distributors for the program.
Impacts of the Local Produce and Protein Program
In August 2020 the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship awarded Local Produce and Protein Program (LPPP) grants to K-12 schools. This report is from the Iowa Food Hub Managers Working Group (FHMWG) on the impact of that funding.
One Year Later: Iowa Farm to School Sales through Food Hubs
Food hubs contributed to making the Local Produce and Protein Program a success. Funds were not available in 2021 to support the LPPP, so most schools purchased local foods with no outside financial incentives. This report documents the decrease in sales observed.
2023 Farm to School Census and Infographics
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has been tracking the growth and change of farm to school programming since 2013. The Farm to School Census is a one-of-a-kind data source compiled from surveys sent to more than 18,000 SFAs participating in the National School Lunch Program. Resources share the extent of farm to school participation across Iowa, the nation, and by individual school food authorities.
Food hubs reported over $2.5 million in sales in 2023. They worked with over 350 farms and food businesses. Over $335,000 of those sales were through the Hub to Hub Network where food hubs cooperated to sell products between each other, filling gaps member farmers couldn't fill and to create more robust offerings to customers.