On Thursday, members and supporters of the Iowa Food System Coalition gathered at the Capitol Rotunda to engage with lawmakers over slices of fresh pie. The event aimed to highlight the coalition's efforts to secure greater support for local food initiatives. Advocates from various organizations, including the Iowa Farmers Union and Center for Rural Affairs, emphasized the need for legislative action on several key bills. These included expanding the Double Up Food Bucks program, improving rural grocery stores, and making the Choose Iowa local purchasing program a permanent fixture in the state budget. Tommy Hexter, policy director of the Iowa Farmers Union, highlighted the importance of the Choose Iowa program in promoting locally grown products. Meanwhile, Roger Van Donselaar, a farmer from Grinnell, shared his experiences benefiting from these programs, particularly through sales to local food banks. Additionally, advocates expressed enthusiasm about advancing legislation to enhance the Double Up Food Bucks program, which benefits both SNAP recipients and farmers by doubling their purchasing power for produce.

The Iowa Food System Coalition has been actively advocating for policies that support local agriculture and improve access to healthy food. One of the primary focuses is the Choose Iowa program, managed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. This initiative has already made significant strides, especially with the pilot program that funded the purchase of local products for food banks and schools. Tommy Hexter explained that this program serves as a catalyst for promoting Iowa-grown and produced goods within the state. “The Choose Iowa program is crucial for fostering local agricultural development,” Hexter noted. “It ensures that more locally sourced products reach consumers, thereby supporting farmers and enhancing community well-being.”

Roger Van Donselaar, who runs Prairie Produce in Grinnell, exemplifies how these programs can benefit individual farmers. Growing 15 acres of produce, Van Donselaar sells most of his harvest directly on-site. He mentioned that while sales through the Choose Iowa program do not constitute a large portion of his total revenue, they enable him to support his local food bank without financial strain. “It’s rewarding to know that my produce is making a difference,” Van Donselaar said. “Feedback from the food bank organizer confirms that items like tomatoes are highly appreciated by recipients.” His involvement underscores the coalition's mission to connect farmers with communities in need.

Another critical aspect of the coalition's advocacy is the expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks program. This initiative allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to double their spending on fruits and vegetables, both in grocery stores and at farmers' markets. Advocates argue that this not only empowers shoppers with greater purchasing power but also boosts demand for locally grown produce. The Healthiest State Initiative organizes the Double Up program in Iowa, currently providing a dollar-for-dollar match up to per day for SNAP purchases. A Senate subcommittee recently voted to advance a bill allocating a million grant to expand this program further. Sen. Mike Klimesh introduced the bill, emphasizing its potential to benefit both consumers and producers.

Beyond supporting farmers and SNAP recipients, the coalition is also pushing for improvements in rural grocery stores and local produce processing. House File 59 proposes creating a grocer reinvestment program and a local produce processing grant program, totaling million in funding. Cynthia Farmer, senior policy associate for the Center for Rural Affairs, stressed the importance of ensuring healthy food access in rural areas. “Rural grocery stores are vital for attracting people back to these communities,” Farmer explained. “Aging infrastructure and ownership challenges necessitate investment to maintain viable food sources.” The bill would provide funds for renovations, online ordering systems, and new refrigeration units. Additionally, it would support shared kitchen spaces where multiple farmers can use advanced equipment for processing their harvests. This approach ensures that investments remain within the community, fostering long-term sustainability.

The coalition's efforts reflect a broader commitment to strengthening Iowa's food system. By advocating for expanded programs like Choose Iowa and Double Up Food Bucks, along with improvements in rural grocery infrastructure, they aim to create a more resilient and equitable food network. Lawmakers' engagement at the Capitol Rotunda event signals growing recognition of the importance of these initiatives. As these bills progress, the coalition remains hopeful that their vision of a thriving local food economy will become a reality, benefiting both farmers and consumers across the state.