[LOCATION] — Iowa public and private schools will receive funding to buy Iowa-grown food through a state program that aims to connect students with local agriculture.
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that 125 schools will participate in the Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools Program. Each school will get about $1,600, which they must match dollar-for-dollar to double the buying power for locally sourced food.
The Iowa Legislature allocated the program funding, which was split evenly among all eligible schools that applied. The announcement comes a week before Iowa Local Food Day on Sept. 23, an annual celebration of Iowa-grown food and beverages.
“Choose Iowa is all about connecting more Iowans with the great food, beverages and agricultural products produced right here in our state,” Naig said. “Now in its second year, we continue to see strong demand for the Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools program, demonstrating the desire to serve more fresh, healthy and nutritious Iowa foods to students.”
Naig said he plans to ask the Iowa Legislature for more money to expand the program. He encouraged Iowans to celebrate Iowa Local Food Day by choosing local products whenever possible.
The program provides $200,000 to help schools buy eligible Iowa food products through seven Iowa food hubs. With the required school match, the program will generate at least $400,000 in total buying power for Iowa-grown food.
A full list of the 125 participating schools is available here. The permanent program was authorized through the bipartisan 2026 Iowa Farm Act, which Naig introduced and championed.
The program builds on a pilot launched in 2025. During the pilot, 61 schools or school districts applied for funding, requesting more than twice the $70,000 available, and 33 schools received funding.
The program helps build relationships among Iowa farmers, food businesses, food hubs and schools while creating demand for Iowa agricultural products. It complements the permanent Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program, which connects Iowa farmers and food businesses with food banks and emergency feeding organizations.
Iowans can find nearby farms, food businesses, farmers markets and other local food options by visiting the Find Local directory at ChooseIowa.com.
School districts receiving grants include:
Algona Community School District
Allamakee Community School District
Belmond-Klemme Community School District
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District
Clear Lake Community School District
Decorah Community School District
Eastern Allamakee Community School District
Hampton-Dumont Community School District
Howard-Winneshiek Community School District
Newman Catholic School (Mason City)
Osage Community School District
Riceville Community School District
Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock (RRMR) Community School District
South Winneshiek Community School District
Dining and Cooking