Grow. Eat. Play. North Iowa Producer Resource Hub

Welcome to the Grow. Eat. Play. Producer Resource Hub—your one-stop destination for everything you need to succeed as a participant in the Grow. Eat. Play. program. Whether you’re part of Grow. Eat. Play. North Iowa, this hub is here to keep you informed, equipped, and connected. Check back often for updates, resources, workshops, and other valuable tools to help your business thrive in the local food movement.

To get started, please take a moment to complete our Grow. Eat. Play. listing form. Filling out this form will ensure your business is listed on our website and in our print guide, connecting you directly with consumers who value and seek out local food sources.

Want to be listed in other regions? Check out Grow. Eat. Play. Cedar Valley.

What is Grow. Eat. Play.?

The Grow. Eat. Play. campaign is a flexible, region-specific marketing initiative designed to boost the reach and success of our region’s local food producers, with a strong focus on supporting direct-to-consumer markets. Since replacing the Buy Fresh Buy Local brand in 2020, Grow. Eat. Play. has been embraced across various regions in Iowa, driving a shift toward a thriving culture of local food. Our goals are to:

1. Empower Eaters to Embrace Local: Grow. Eat. Play. fosters a culture that values local food, creating a community-wide understanding of its importance, benefits, and unique qualities.
2. Expand Your Reach: This campaign is for everyone—not just foodies. We aim to bring all North Iowans into the local food movement, making it accessible, engaging, and impactful for every eater.
3. Celebrate Local Food Diversity: Iowa offers an extraordinary range of local foods, from fresh produce and pasture-raised meats to handcrafted goods and unique dishes from small, passionate eateries. Grow. Eat. Play. highlights this diversity to inspire and connect with more consumers.
4. Equip Producers with Tools for Success: We understand the specific challenges of growing and marketing local food. That’s why we provide farmers, ranchers, and local food entrepreneurs with targeted tools, guidance, and strategies to strengthen customer relationships, enhance their brand presence, and grow within the local food movement.