Local Foods program advances in Iowa

The following was sent by the office of  state Rep. Chuck Isenhart (D-Dubuque):

Only a fraction of the money Iowans spend on food stays in the state. That picture could begin changing under a plan championed by state Rep. Chuck Isenhart (D-Dubuque). The plan was approved Thursday by Gov. Terry Branstad as part of the compromise agriculture and natural resources budget bill passed by the Legislature in late June.

The "Local Food and Farm Initiative" signed by Branstad could help Dubuque's sustainability plan, which includes "healthy local foods" as one of its principles, Isenhart said. "Dubuque recognizes food as a component of social/cultural vibrancy, yet sustainable food systems also contribute to both environmental integrity and economic prosperity, the other pillars of Sustainable Dubuque."

Other areas of the state will also benefit, especially those covered by one of Iowa's "regional foods working groups supported by the Leopold Cenetr for Sustainable Agriculture.

The initiative authorizes and provides money for a state "local food and farm coordinator." The employee of the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will be stationed with Iowa State University's Extension Service. A six-member local food and farm council is set up to support the program. And a fund is established in the state treasurer's office to receive both public and private monies to support incentives, grants and pay other project expenses.

The goals included in the legislation include:

• Promoting the production of Iowa-grown food, including but not limited to livestock, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, grains, herbs, honey, and nuts;

• Supporting the processing and packaging of Iowa-grown agricultural products into food products, including canning, freezing, dehydrating and bottling;

• Aiding the distribution and marketing of fresh and processed Iowa-grown agricultural food products to markets in this state and neighboring states;

• Increasing consumer and institutional spending on Iowa-produced and marketed foods;

• Boosting the profitability of farmers and businesses engaged in enterprises related to producing, processing, distributing, and marketing local food;

• Creating new jobs in the state's farm and business economies associated with producing, processing, distributing, and marketing local food.

The recommendations came from a report developed by Leopold Center. The "Iowa Local Farm and Food Plan" was commissioned by the General Assembly in 2010. The council will review other policy ideas included in the report for possible adoption in the future.

More than 1,000 people from 95 counties contributed to the plan, directed by Rich Pirog of the Leopold Center. Information was gathered at workshops, 15 listening sessions throughout the state and two surveys. The draft recommendations were discussed with leaders of 21 state agencies, institutions and organizations.

According to the plan, the state has an opportunity to increase sales of local food, estimated to account for only 14 percent of the $8 billion each year that Iowans spend on food. The plan is designed to increase direct-to-consumer sales as well as retail and institutional sales by providing the infrastructure, research and development, and incentives to support increased local food production and marketing.

"Local food and farm plans have been developed in at least a dozen other states and regions, including Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina and the City of New York," Isenhart noted. "Being in the center of one of the world's breadbaskets, the only place on this curve Iowa can afford to be is ahead of it. We should be leading the movement, and this program, while modest to start, points us in the right direction."

Isenhart serves on the agriculture, environmental protection and economic development appropriations committees in the Iowa House.

"This initiative advanced with bi-partisan support, thanks to the assistance of Rep. Jack Drake (R-Griswold), Rep. Annette Sweeney (R-Alden), Senator Joe Seng (D-Davenport), Senator Dennis Black (D-Grinnell) and Senator Hubert Houser (R-Carson)," Isenhart said. "I thank Governor Branstad for signing it into law, and I look forward to being active in promoting its success."

For information on a regional foods working group near you, contact the Leopold Center at

leocenter@iastate.edu, (515) 294-3711.