Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a 2-part series.

Iowa food banks, food hubs, schools, growers and community partner organizations are taking advantage of new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food purchasing grants to provide locally grown food critical to battling food insecurities and meeting the nutritional needs of Iowans, including school children.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)...