Statewide Iowa — A report by Iowa State University Extension says some type of incentives are needed to help schools districts in obtaining fresh local food for students.
ISU field specialist Teresa Wiemerslage says pandemic grants totaling $250,000 in 2020 led to 57 schools working with food hubs to get fresh food. That changed when the grant money went away the next year.
The drop off was more than 50 percent. She says money was a big part of the issue, along with experience.
She says they recommend timing future incentives so that schools, farms, and food hubs can plan menus and local purchases in advance.
Wiemerslage says schools could buy direct from farmers — but she believes it is worth it for schools to work with food hubs to source food.
Wiemerslage says the food hubs can save districts time.
She says they are continuing to work on ways to connect schools with locally grown food.
