Earlier this week, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, and Gov., Kim Reynolds, announced the creation of a program to assist Iowa schools with the purchase of locally-grown products from Iowa farmers impacted by COVID-19-related interruptions. The Local Produce and Protein Program starts with a half million dollar allocation through the CARES Act. “Iowa is at the foundation of our global food supply chain and the epicenter of the renewable fuels industry,” Reynolds says. “COVID-19 and a devastating derecho dealt a major blow to everything from demand for ethanol to the supply of meat on grocery store shelves. But just as important are the livelihoods of thousands of Iowa farm families, agricultural industries and the communities they support. Today’s investment reflects the critical role Iowa’s ag industry has on our state’s overall economic recovery.” School districts, universities, colleges, specialty crop producers and food hubs can qualify for portions of the grant money. Applications can be submitted for reimbursement of costs associated with purchasing protein and produce as well as equipment and supplies through the three different grant programs. Naig says making the connections between Iowa farmers and educational centers creates even more markets for products while also providing the freshest possible foods for students. “Through this program and funding support from Gov. Reynolds, we can help strengthen local food systems and help support farmers and schools who have been impacted by COVD-19-related supply chain disruptions,” Naig says. More details on each can be found below.
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Equipment grant for K-12 schools: https://iowaagriculture.gov/sites/default/files/2020/grants/Local%20Produce%20and%20Protein%20-%20Equipment%20Grant%20for%20K-12%20Schools.pdf
Local food grant for all Iowa schools: https://iowaagriculture.gov/sites/default/files/2020/grants/Local%20Produce%20and%20Protein%20-%20Local%20Food%20Grant%20for%20All%20Iowa%20Schools.pdf
Equipment grant for producers and food hubs: https://iowaagriculture.gov/sites/default/files/2020/grants/Local%20Produce%20and%20Protein%20-%20Equipment%20Grant%20for%20Producers%20and%20Food%20Hubs.pdf