Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Offering Grants to Support Partnerships between Farmers Markets and Food Hubs
Program helps connect Iowans with local food producers
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 19, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is offering five, $3,000 grants to help farmers markets and food hubs find innovative ways to connect Iowans to locally-grown foods.
“Many people have a desire to support local businesses and purchase Iowa-sourced foods. These grants will help give consumers access to a wider variety of meat and produce grown by Iowa farmers,” said Secretary Naig. “This is just one program the Department is offering to strengthen local food systems and support the specialty crop producers in our state.”
Farmers markets play important roles in their communities and many vendors have established strong relationships with their customers. Food hubs have regional distribution networks that allow specialty crop producers to reach more producers. Combining the strengths of both food systems gives customers access to more locally-grown choices.
The grants can be used for supplies, delivery costs and promoting this new business model. Farmers market and food hub representatives can apply for this grant at iowaagriculture.gov. Grant applications must be received by July 6.
There are eight food hubs in Iowa that help specialty crop producers sell fresh meat and produce directly to consumers in their regions, and more than 200 farmers markets held in communities around the state.
This grant program is funded through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant and is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. For more information about this grant program, contact Tammy Stotts at tammy.stotts@iowaagriculture.gov.