Investing in the future of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard & Winneshiek

Counties

Photo of Karst Topography

Map of tributaries and water resources

The Problem:Producers observed a disconnect between downtown businesses and the ag community.

“Why don’t we grow our own food in the American Heartland?”

Why Local Food Fits

Total Ag Sales = $685 million63% of farm income is from livestock

Source: 2002 Ag Census

County FarmsAcres in farming

Average Farm Size

Allamakee 1083 80% 301Clayton 1601 87% 270Fayette 1344 89% 309Howard 891 89% 302Winneshiek 1501 86% 253State Avg 916 89% 350

•Sold $1.3 M of food directly to consumers.•2nd Allamakee: $329,000•7th Winneshiek: $282,000•29 apple orchards•47 vegetable farms

•Source: 2007 Ag Census

•$3.5 million in organic sales•10% of the certified organic farms in Iowa•26% of the total organic sales for the state

State Ranking: Organic Sales•1st Winneshiek•2nd Allamakee•6th Howard•8th Clayton

•Source: 2002 Ag Census

County Food at home

(million $)

Food away from home (million $)

Total (million $)

Allamakee 19 14 33Clayton 24 19 43Fayette 28 22 50Howard 13 10 23Winneshiek 25 19 44Total 109 (56%) 84 (44%) 193

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Dollars Spent on Food each YearTotal Income = $1.29 Billion

• Currently in NE Iowa, less than 1% of food is locally purchased.

• Shifting 25% of food spending to local sources would stimulate the local economy with 48 million dollars.

• By purchasing 25% of fruits and vegetables locally, it would create 204 jobs and $10.8 million in labor income and $91 million in total economic activity in the region.

Local food systems have local benefits

The Impact

1. Creation of a learning community

2. Developed a strategic plan

3. Facilitated institutional purchases of local foods• Local Food Breakfasts• Clarified policy of use of local foods• Farm to School• Local food directory and website• Producer workshops

4. Expanded the growing season

• Plantpeddler• Greenhouse tours• Certified kitchen• Investigating storage and processing

5. Engaging schools

• Comprehensive Farm to School• School gardens• Food service education• Teacher education• Cross-age teaching• Home Grown School

Lunch Week

6. Increased commitment to buying local

• Luther College – 35% by 2012• Sodexho discussions• Food safety education for producers

6. Increased commitment to buying local

# Reports Local food sales

Total sales

2007 1 52,620.00 52,620.002008 Previous 1 54,919.00

$67,719.00New 2 12,800.002009 Previous 3 149,605.77

$638,600.46New 10 488,944.69

Table 1. Sales of locally grown foods by producers in August 2008- June 09.

6. Increased commitment to buying local

Increased purchases by institutions from local producers in 2008-09.

# Institutions Local food purchases

Total purchases

2007 2 $94,021.00 $94,021.00

2008 Previous 3 $313,169.67$320,669.67New 3 $19,244.00

2009 Previous 3 $507,207.31$544,659.53New 12 $37,452.22

7. Leverage funding and expertise• Producer mini-grants• Funding from other organizations

Year # Grants Mini-Grant Amt

$ Leveraged

2009 12 3,262.50 49,792.00

2008 20 5,995.00 108,242.23

2007 14 2,940.00 134,723.60

POLICIES:• State fruit and vegetable policy for institutions• City Councils addressing sidewalk policies• Iowa Cattlemen's Association adopt new policy to

support local markets

Policy & System Change Will Drive Our Work

Investing in the future of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard & Winneshiek

Counties

Working Together

www.iowafoodandfitness.org