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.