Farm-to-School Program

Thank you for your interest in the Iowa Farm to School Program. In 2007, Iowa lawmakers passed Farm to School legislation to establish a program that would link elementary, secondary, public and non-public schools with Iowa farmers; provide schools with fresh and minimally processed Iowa grown food for inclusion in school meals and snacks; and to encourage children to develop healthy eating habits and provide them with hands-on learning opportunities, such as farm visits, cooking demonstrations, and school gardening and composting programs.

Farm to School Initiatives:

Iowa Farm to School Chapter Initiative:

There are currently 9 active Iowa Farm to School Chapters throughout the state. Each chapter has developed and implemented a plan so as to uphold the objectives and mission of the Farm to School Program. Such activities in these chapters include; locally-grown Iowa food procurement, eating fresh fruit and vegetables from Iowa, school gardens, field trips to local farms and orchards, purchase of kitchen equipment to better serve needs of students, educational presentations and materials, food fairs, and classroom activities.

Child Eating Apple “A is for Apple” initiative:

This initiative was launched in the fall of 2008, in order to encourage the purchase of locally grown Iowa apples. Orchards and schools worked together with the Department of Agriculture to provide apples to school children. Over 20 schools applied and 10 schools in 5 counties were selected. Educational materials, classroom presentations and promotional items were provided to the selected schools, along with funds to assist in the purchase of apples. Over 1,789 students were served apples on at least one occasion as a snack or as a part of a meal during the initiative. This initiative was a great success and there was positive feedback and future interest by all participants.

This fall there will be a contest for 20 schools to receive the “A is for Apple” kit. The purpose of the “A” is for Apple kit is to provide teachers and students with the necessary resources to allow opportunities for children to learn about Iowa-grown apples through a variety of creative, hands-on activities. The materials included should be able to accommodate learners of all abilities and ages with modifications or variations of activities if necessary. This kit also provides the educational piece and will hopefully partner with the purchase of locally grown Iowa apples.

“Wrap Your Own- Iowa Grown” initiative:

“Wrap Your Own-Iowa Grown” is a new initiative of the Iowa Farm to School Program that will start this fall. This initiative is a great opportunity for schools, students, teachers, parents and the communities to get involved and promote Iowa producers and the Iowa economy, not to mention to encourage healthy eating habits for our children and our future. The goal of this initiative is to promote the purchase of locally-grown vegetables and products to create Iowa grown wraps. This is also an opportunity for students to eat something healthy with great Iowa fixings! Participants in this initiative will receive wrap papers and stickers, recipes, nutritional information, recognition on the IDALS website, as well as $200.00 to assist with the purchase of locally-grown food to help implement this initiative. “Now That’s a (W)rap” contest will allow students to use their creativity and talents to inspire kids and adult to purchase Iowa-grown foods, make healthy eating choices and assist in curbing childhood obesity, promote the Iowa Farm to School Program, Iowa producers and the local economy.

Take a look at South Hamilton Elementary School's "Now That's a Wrap Video"