Clear Lake, Iowa – July 2, 2024 – Of the nine billion dollars of local foods produced in the U.S., the Midwest–one of the most fertile areas of the world–accounts for only 6% of national local food sales. That is why Healthy Harvest of North Iowa has joined with the Iowa Food System Coalition to announce the launch of the Setting the Table for All Iowans plan. This collaborative effort brings together diverse groups to create a thriving, sustainable, and equitable local food system in Iowa.

The Iowa Food System Coalition, a community of 40 organizational partners and 600 individuals with professional and lived expertise, has developed Setting the Table for All Iowans – a working document to guide the work of the next decade and offer a way to increase local food consumption in Iowa and build resilient rural communities, offer economic opportunities and improve the health of Iowans.

“The Setting the Table for All Iowans plan aims to create opportunities for an Iowa food system that supports the health and wealth of us all,” said Andrea Evelsizer, Executive Director at Healthy Harvest of North Iowa. “It emphasizes the importance of community health, economic prosperity, and support for those who tend our land. We are committed to being part of this collective effort to create a more sustainable and equitable food system in Iowa.”

Healthy Harvest of North Iowa has been actively involved steering this statewide coalition and in multiple priority areas including the Local Food Purchasing & Procurement and the Communication & Education teams. For more information about the Setting the Table for All Iowans plan and the Iowa Food System Coalition, visit IowaFoodSystemCoalition.org.

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Healthy Harvest of North Iowa is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that connects and educates in support of the local food system. Information can be found at www.healthyharvestni.com.

About the Iowa Food System Coalition
The Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) is a community of 40 organizational partners and 600 individuals with professional and lived expertise committed to advancing a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system in Iowa. IFSC is leading the way with Setting the Table for All Iowans, a working document that outlines a strategic roadmap to increase local food consumption, build resilient rural communities, offer economic opportunities, and improve the health of Iowans. For more information about the Iowa Food System Coalition and its initiatives, visit IowaFoodSystemCoalition.org.

Contact: Chris Schwartz – iowafoodsystemcoalition@gmail.com