Farm to ISU

Importance of Farm to ISU Program

Providing an opportunity for Iowa farmers, processors, and food entrepreneurs to profitably market their products
Providing people with a healthy and affordable diet and fresh local foods when in season
Providing safe and healthy foods grown with high levels of environmental stewardship
Contributing to the vitality of rural and urban communities,
Connecting Iowa State University to Iowa communities

To be better stewards of the Earth as we fulfill Iowa State University's mission: Create, share, and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place.
Focus on local small growers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable and organic practices
Support Iowa businesses as they provide local jobs and economic development
Develop a restaurant featuring Iowa products
Develop an organic Café in the Memorial Union
Develop organic features in residential dining centers and retail operations
Educate ISU community about organics, sustainability and the importance of regional food systems - where and how their food is grown
Grow to 35% of purchases providing economic value to ISU Dining and supporting organic, sustainable and local producers
Collaborate with other off-campus organizations to strengthen ties between the community and ISU in an effort to provide a healthy regional environment

When compared with others, ISU Dining has been purchasing a high-dollar amount of sustainable, organic & local products ($153,000 in FY '06). Past work has not been well publicized.
ISU Dining is expanding and remodeling over the next few years and looking to incorporate sustainable, organic & local products into menus.
Becoming "green" is now making national headlines and public sentiment is growing. As a university, we are here to lead by example.
Local and regional food distribution systems use less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases than conventional distribution systems¹
Obesity and childhood diabetes are on the rise; 61 percent of Iowans are overweight or obese². These children will become students and ISU Dining is here to offer a variety of healthy products and help students develop sound eating habits throughout their college career.
Organizations like the Leopold Center and ISU Extension and PFI have developed programs and tools to help farmers sell into these markets.
ISU Dining received a grant from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture to hire a program coordinator

Go over ISU Dining's guidelines for farmers/producers
- Guidelines: produce (pdf)
- Guidelines: meat, dairy & eggs (pdf)
Fill out the Vendor Application form
Contact Food Stores and provide a list of products and their availability (Darrin Vander, , 515-294-2892)