Register today! Fall marks the return of Iowa Local Food Day

Hello, fall! Iowa is gearing up for the fall season and the return of October's National Farm to School Month with the annual Iowa Local Food Day celebration on Sept. 23.

Each year, Iowa Local Food Day highlights the inclusion of healthy, locally sourced foods into menus and meal plans at schools and other organizations across the state. K-12 schools, early child care and education centers, colleges and universities and other partners are highly encouraged to join in this year's event and celebrate local foods.

Any school or organization participating in Iowa Local Food Day simply commits to serving at least two local food items at breakfast, lunch, snack time or taste testing activities. Many schools and organizations also incorporate farm and nutrition learning experiences during the day, such as farm visits, garden and outdoor activities or other fun, interactive events.

"Iowa Local Food Day is a great opportunity for students and young learners to connect the food on their plates to the farmers in their communities," said Meg Collins, section chief for the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services at the Iowa Department of Education. "We hope schools, early care centers, postsecondary institutions and other stakeholders across the state will take part in the celebration and help promote healthy local foods and lifelong healthy habits to Iowa's younger generations."

Iowa Local Food Day was established in 2018 by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to celebrate Iowa-grown food and support schools, nutrition directors and farmers.

Registration is now open to participate in this year's Iowa Local Food Day. Schools can register separately or together as a district.

Additional information, including local food recipes, can be found on the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Network website. Questions on Iowa Local Food Day can be directed to Meg Collins at [email protected].