(Des Moines) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that 33 schools or school districts have received grants through the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Pilot Program for Schools. The one-year program, launched in 2024, helps schools buy locally sourced food from Choose Iowa members, including farmers and small businesses.
The pilot has a $70,000 budget, with each school eligible for up to $1,000 per building, requiring a 1:1 financial match. The program received 61 applications totaling $158,249, exceeding available funds.
Eligible items include meat, poultry, eggs, dairy (excluding milk), honey, and produce. Schools must buy from registered Choose Iowa members or food hubs using Iowa-grown products.
Southwest Iowa schools receiving grants include:
Griswold
Missouri Valley
Clarinda
Council Bluffs
Diagonal
