The Fairfield Community School District has been selected as a recipient of the Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools Program grant, which supports schools in purchasing Iowa-grown and Iowa-raised food, according to a social media post from the district.
Fairfield Food Service received $1,600 in grant funding, which will be matched with $1,600 from the Food Service Fund for a total of $3,200 available for local food purchases. The funding will help bring more locally produced foods to school menus while supporting Iowa farmers and food businesses.
Several other area school districts were also selected for the program, including Centerville, Chariton, Davis County, Moravia, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Pella, and Pella Christian Schools.
The program connects Iowa schools with local farmers and food businesses. Eligible purchases include meat and poultry, dairy products other than milk, flour and small grains, eggs, honey, and produce. Each participating school district works with a Food Hub Sponsor to assist with grant requirements, pre-authorize purchases, issue farmer payments, and manage sub-awards and match balances. Schools may purchase from any Choose Iowa member farm or food hub.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig praised the program. “Back-to-school season is an exciting time for Iowa students, families and educators, and it is also a great opportunity to put more Iowa grown and raised food on school menus,” Naig said. “The Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools Program connects Iowa farmers and food businesses with new markets while giving students the opportunity to enjoy healthy local foods produced right here in Iowa. After seeing strong interest in the pilot program, I was pleased to lead the effort to make this program permanent through the bipartisan Iowa Farm Act and secure permanent funding to continue it into the future.”
A total of $200,000 was appropriated statewide for the program, with public and private K-12 school districts eligible for grant funding. The local food purchasing timeline runs from September 8th, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. More information about the Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools Program is available at chooseiowa.com/food-purchasing-pilot-schools.
