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Iowa Food System Coalition hosts virtual town hall to aid local food access

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 0:34 GMT by KCCI Des Moines
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Iowa Food System Coalition Turns to the Virtual Stage to Boost Local Food Access

On March 21, 2024, the Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) launched a live‑streamed town hall that drew more than 400 viewers from farms, food banks, municipal offices, and community groups across the state. The event—hosted on Zoom and recorded for on‑demand viewing—was a strategic push by the coalition to rally support for local food access in an era of supply‑chain shocks, rising food‑insecurity rates, and a growing appetite for resilient, homegrown food systems.

Who Is the IFSC, and Why Does It Matter?

The IFSC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Des Moines, describes itself as “a statewide network that strengthens Iowa’s local food systems through partnership, policy advocacy, and capacity building.” Its mission, as highlighted on its website, is to “create a food system that is equitable, sustainable, and accessible for all residents of Iowa.” The coalition’s membership includes farmers, food‑bank directors, nutritionists, educators, and state‑level policymakers—all working to connect producers with consumers and to fill the gaps that have widened since the pandemic.

The town hall’s agenda was informed by a data‑driven mapping of “food deserts” that the coalition released last fall. That map pinpointed 17 counties with a shortage of supermarkets, limited transportation options, and a rising number of households below the federal poverty line. The IFSC’s 2023 annual report noted that the state’s food‑insecurity rate had climbed from 6.7% to 8.2%—the highest in the Midwest.

The Virtual Forum: Panels, Policy, and Practical Solutions

The event opened with a brief keynote from IFSC Executive Director Laura Mitchell, who framed the town hall as a “call to action.” “The pandemic exposed the fragility of our supply chains,” Mitchell said. “Today, we have a chance to rebuild a food system that works for every Iowan, from the farmer’s market in small towns to the food pantry in urban neighborhoods.”

Panel 1: Building Resilience on the Farm Level

A roundtable featuring four local farmers—Tom Harris of the Prairie Valley Cooperative, Maria Lopez of Green Acres Farm, and two younger growers from the Iowa Youth Farm Initiative—discussed the challenges of maintaining production during fluctuating demand. Harris shared how his cooperative had adopted a “season‑in‑season” distribution model, ensuring that surplus produce could be diverted to nearby food banks before it spoiled. Lopez emphasized the role of community‑supported agriculture (CSA) programs in providing a steady revenue stream for small farms, allowing them to weather price swings.

Panel 2: The Role of Food Banks and Pantries

Next, a group of representatives from Iowa Food Bank and the Des Moines Food Rescue program addressed how the state’s pantry network could be expanded. The food bank director, James Whitaker, highlighted a new partnership with a local grocery chain that now donates a daily allotment of fresh produce. Whitaker also underscored the importance of nutrition education, noting that “over 60% of pantry recipients lack basic knowledge about preparing healthy meals on a budget.”

Panel 3: Policy and Funding for Local Food

The third panel brought together state legislators, a USDA Rural Development officer, and an urban planning advocate. Legislators discussed proposed bills to increase funding for the USDA’s Community Food Projects Grant, which would enable local municipalities to install mobile markets in underserved neighborhoods. The USDA officer explained how the grant could help small farms establish distribution centers that reduce transportation costs. Meanwhile, the urban planning advocate urged the state to consider tax incentives for grocery stores that open in low‑income areas.

Interactive Q&A: Community Voices

The remainder of the event was dedicated to a live Q&A. Viewers asked about strategies for improving transportation infrastructure, ways to involve school lunch programs in the local food system, and how to secure grants for community gardens. One participant from the Cedar Rapids Food Justice Coalition noted that “food is not just a commodity; it’s a form of community empowerment.” The panelists responded with concrete suggestions, such as establishing “food mobility” programs that provide electric vans to transport fresh produce directly from farms to food banks.

Next Steps and Resources

The IFSC released a follow‑up packet—including a full transcript, slide deck, and a list of recommended resources—on its website. Key takeaways for local governments include:

1. Invest in mobile markets and micro‑grocery stores in food deserts.
2. Expand grant programs for farmer‑pantry partnerships.
3. Integrate nutrition education into school lunch and community outreach programs.
4. Leverage public‑private partnerships to reduce transportation barriers.

The coalition’s website also lists upcoming workshops, such as a “Farmers’ Market 101” session scheduled for April 12, and a “Policy Advocacy Toolkit” for community leaders.

A Call to Action

At the end of the town hall, IFSC President Michael O’Reilly called for “collective action” from all Iowans. “If we each do one small thing—whether it’s supporting a local farm, volunteering at a food pantry, or lobbying for better transportation—we build a stronger, more equitable food system,” he urged.

The recorded town hall is now available on the IFSC’s YouTube channel and the coalition’s website for anyone who could not join live. The coalition encourages all residents, from farmers to food‑bank volunteers to city planners, to watch, share, and, most importantly, act.

As Iowa navigates the complexities of post‑pandemic food insecurity, the virtual town hall serves as a blueprint for how community collaboration, data‑driven policy, and grassroots action can together create a food system that feeds the entire state.