Fresh ideas: Food summit connects local producers and buyers

IOWA CITY - The al dente asparagus, bright green and cooked to perfection, drew a sharp contrast to the canned green beans on the school children's trays.

“It looked so much more appealing,” said Kelly Crossley, nutrition director at the Solon school district and former food director at Independence schools, where the food was served. “I think that helped the kids to try it.”

Getting children to eat their veggies isn't all that difficult when the food is fresh, Crossley said, but motivating purchasers at schools and other entities to buy local is another story. Crossley said school lunch directors must follow U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements, such as receiving bids for food purchases.

The conundrum is one of the reasons behind this week's local food summit, Come to the Table, which will bring together food producers and purchasers to expand the local foods market (see below for details).

Despite its strong agricultural market, Iowa imports more than 90 percent of its food from other states and countries, said Jason Grimm, a food system planner from Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development who helped organize the summit.

At the event, buyers will be able to rotate around the room to meet farmers and food entrepreneurs one on one. Afternoon workshops include sessions on Good Agricultural Practices certification; the cost of production and procurement; budgeting to purchase local food; and menu and crop planning for farmers and buyers.

Dozens of participants are registered, including representatives from Hy-Vee Food Stores, food advocates, growers and more. And panelists, including Crossley, Jesse Singerman of Iowa Valley Food Coop, and Andrew Dunham of Grinnell Heritage Farm, will showcase ways to find, sell and buy local food in the area.

“There just seems to be a lot of hesitation and fear about how to do this,” said Crossley, who began her position at Solon in August after four years in Independence.

Independence schools, which has a Farm to School chapter, purchased apples and other items from local growers that were priced as well or better than the schools could have found elsewhere, she noted.

In return, the growers have a “sure thing” with sales to schools - for example, knowing they will be able to supply 40 pounds of tomatoes on a given date, Crossley said.

“I want people to just try it,” she said. “It's doable. That's been my experience.”

Local food summit

• What: Come to the Table: Local Food Summit for Producers and Purchasers
• When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday with a panel discussion at 9:30 a.m.
• Where: Johnson County ISU Extension, 3109 Old Highway 218 S., Iowa City
• Cost: The summit is free and open to the public. Lunch is $12 with preregistration at http://smgs.us/foodsummit.
• More information: Call Jason Grimm at (319) 270-3890.