CENTER POINT, Iowa (KCRG) – More locally-made foods could be moving into school cafeterias because of a new program by the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
The new “Choose Iowa” pilot program has granted 33 school districts $1,000 that will be matched by the district. That money can be spent at dozens of the local producers that are Choose Iowa members.
Brenda Wyse is the Director of Food Services for the Center Point-Urbana Community School District, she’s responsible for feeding 1,000 students across four schools. She says there are benefits to feeding students using locally-grown ingredients.
“It is more nutritious because there are antioxidants and vitamins, some of those degrade through transport and processing,” Wyse said, who also spoke about the economic benefits. “I’m a real big advocate of trying to to do that as much as we can because it’s keeping money in and supporting the local economy.”
In March, the USDA ended similar programming that provided Iowa schools with money to buy locally. Wyse said she always took advantage of opportunities like that; those programs being cut caught her and others, especially the food producers, by surprise.
“I mean, we spent a lot of time and effort preplanning what my needs would be so she could better plan with her growers,” Wyse said.
Now with the extra money, Wyse hopes to not only feed students healthy foods, but encourage healthy lifestyles.
Businesses can become Choose Iowa Members by clicking here.
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