For Immediate Release: Monday, Sept. 17, 2018
32 schools already committed to serving two or more dishes of Iowa
grown or raised foods
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged
Iowa schools to participate in Iowa Local Food Day on Oct. 11 by serving two or
more dishes of Iowa grown or raised foods.
Thirty-two schools have already pledged to participate in
the celebration. Participating schools will receive banners, posters and
stickers and other fun items to help celebrate Iowa Local Food Day. To see
which schools are participating in Iowa Local Food Day or learn more about this
event, visit https://www.iowalocalfoodday.org/.
“Students across the state will have the opportunity to eat
Iowa grown fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat as part of a school breakfast or
lunch on Iowa Local Food Day,” Naig said. “There is growing public interest in
supporting local foods and schools can be a part of that movement. This
celebration encourages schools to connect with local growers, food hubs and FFA
chapters to source local items. Many schools already purchase some local items
seasonally. This event is a great way for those schools to increase their
purchases and other schools to get started.”
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
received a $100,000 Farm to School Support Services Grant from the USDA Food
and Nutrition Service (FNS) that has supported a number of Farm to School
activities throughout the year. Activities have included training for growers
and food service directors focused on sourcing locally grown items, partnering
with Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP), and the 2018 Iowa Farm to School
Conference this past June.
Iowa Farm to School is also partnering
with the Healthiest State Initiative to encourage families and students to
participate in 5-2-1-0 by having 5 or more fruits & vegetables, 2 hours or
less of screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity and 0 sugary
drinks.
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For more information, contact Dustin Vande Hoef, (515) 281-3375 or (515) 326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
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