Ottumwa Community School District’s Food Service Department has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. This grant is part of the celebration of Farm to School programs during the month of October. On October 14, Ottumwa students celebrated with All Iowa Foods Day on their lunch menu. “The students are excited to know everything on their menu that day was from an Iowa farm,” said Yvonne Johnson, Director of Food and Nutrition Services.
Johnson applied for the grant because she sees the need for food in our community as well as the need for students to understand where their food comes from. “I support Iowa farmers and growers as much as possible,” Johnson said. “The real win for Ottumwa students is to receive fresh, locally grown, nutritious foods.”
Farm to School programs contribute to children’s health by helping students develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. According to research into existing Farm to School efforts, students choose significantly more servings of fruits and vegetables when given the choice of high quality, farm-fresh produce. When they are well nourished, children learn better.
Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, announced the creation of a Local Produce and Protein Program. Gov. Reynolds allocated $500,000 through the CARES Act funding to help Iowa schools purchase locally-grown products from Iowa farmers impacted by COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions. The funding is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
All Iowa schools were eligible to apply for the local food grant. Approved schools will be reimbursed for a portion of their costs to purchase produce and protein from local farmers. At least half of the funds must be used to purchase fruits and vegetables. Produce, liquid and shelled eggs, and dairy products (excluding liquid milk) must be purchased directly from local producers, food hubs, or food auctions. Meat and poultry products must be processed in-state or by a USDA-inspected meat locker.