Nourishing Young Minds: Riceville Schools Embrace Local Food Revolution

In the heart of Iowa, the Riceville Community School District is leading a charge towards healthier, more sustainable school lunches. Through innovative programs and a deep commitment to local sourcing, this small-town district is proving that nutritious, farm-fresh fare can captivate even the youngest palates.

Unlocking the Power of Pea Shoots and Purple Cauliflower

Cultivating a Taste for Local Bounty

The students of Riceville Community School District have developed an unexpected lunchtime craving: pea shoots. These nutrient-dense microgreens have captured the imagination of young minds, thanks to a presentation on the benefits of locally grown foods. Now, the salad bar at Riceville's cafeteria regularly features this superfood, satisfying the students' newfound enthusiasm for fresh, local produce.

Funding the Local Food Revolution

Nancy Eastman, the district's food service supervisor, has made it a priority to stock her kitchen with as much local fare as possible. Grants like the Local Food for Schools program from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) have been instrumental in making this vision a reality. "It's making it easier to bring local foods into the school than it was before," Eastman explains. "And it's a lot healthier."

Celebrating Iowa's Bounty

On a special occasion, Riceville students were treated to a 100% locally sourced meal in honor of Iowa Local Food Day. The feast included burgers, fresh buns, and a vibrant array of locally grown vegetables, including the eye-catching purple cauliflower. "Everything that we are having, besides condiments, are going to be local items," Eastman proudly announced before the Wednesday celebration.

Navigating the Challenges of Local Procurement

The Local Food for Schools (LFS) program, a $200 million initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state partners, has been a game-changer for Riceville and other participating Iowa school districts. Since its inception in 2022, IDALS has awarded over $1.7 million to 137 Iowa schools, including Riceville, which is in the third and final round of funding set to conclude in December 2024.

Forging Lasting Partnerships

Through the LFS grant, Riceville has collaborated with the Iowa Food Hub, which serves the Driftless region. Peter Kraus, the hub's general manager, notes that most of the schools he works with rely on LFS funds. However, Kraus emphasizes the need for more permanent, state-level funding to truly support a thriving local food system. "It'd be really nice if the state would have a consistent program that was something that producers and food hubs and schools could depend on," he says.

Navigating an Uncertain Future

As the LFS funding nears its end, Kraus expresses concern about the future of local food procurement in schools. "Producers are wanting to know, 'What can I grow next year?' and I can't really tell them how much to grow or what to grow, because I don't know what the demand is going to be," he explains. With the uncertainty looming, Kraus and other food hubs are scrambling to determine the "new normal" for local food in schools.

Seeking Sustainable Solutions

While schools can apply for other programs like Choose Iowa and USDA Farm to School, Kraus notes that these initiatives are also not continuous. He hopes Iowa will follow the lead of states like Michigan and New York, which offer reimbursements or incentives to schools that purchase locally. For Eastman, the commitment to local food remains strong, even as the LFS funding winds down. "Local is more expensive, but it's a lot better for us," she says. "Those LFS dollars, they helped show you how to and where to get these items … but I wish that we could do everything local."

Cultivating a Culture of Healthy Eating

In addition to celebrating Iowa Local Food Day and offering local foods on the salad bar daily, Eastman is planning a fall farmers market for the over 400 students in her district. Riceville's dedication to its local food program has earned the district the 2024 Golden Root award for School of the Year from the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care initiative, a testament to the transformative impact of their efforts.