In 2006, the Regional Food Systems Working Group (RFSWG) decided to support food systems in specific geographic areas in Iowa. A group from northeast Iowa submitted a proposal to develop a work plan to build a stronger local food and farm economy in that region. This group is called the Northeast Iowa Food and Farm (NIFF) Coalition. 

The NIFF Coalition’s proposal was accepted with the provision of nominal funding in 2006 and they became the first pilot community within the RFSWG. The group is comprised of agricultural growers, banks, market gardeners and orchardists, extension agents, retailers, independent meat processors, and fund-raisers. They invest in collaborative efforts amongst Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek counties. The NIFF Coalition supports the development and marketing of locally grown agricultural products to enhance the lives of local citizens.

The NIFF Coalition’s initial three goals were to provide an opportunity for existing and new producers to diversify, to explore development of regional processing and storage facilities to add value to all agricultural products in the area, and to increase the consumption and sale of locally grown crops. Following their initial proposal, the NIFF Coalition developed a strategic plan to increase access to healthy food and generate physical activity within the community. This plan was instrumental in their proposal submission to the W.K.Kellogg Foundation, and they were selected as the site of one of nine Food and Fitness initiatives across the U.S. Over the last few years the NIFF Coalition, with the help of the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative:

• Facilitated institutional purchases of produce, dairy, and meat products. Teresa Wiemerslage, NIFF Coalition Coordinator, states that “…(in 2007), one of the myths … that we were hearing from local food service providers was that they could not buy (fresh fruits and vegetables) from farmers. Well, we raised this issue at a RFSWG meeting and as a result we were able to get to the bottom of the issue. A formal letter was drafted and sent to all of these places so that they now realize it is OK to use fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. It was a significant policy change for people not just in our area but the whole state.” Through the work of the NIFF Coalition and RFSWG, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship clarified its policy on the use of local food by institutions, including schools, care centers and hospitals, and these buyers are again purchasing local fruits and vegetables.
• Expanded the growing season. In 2008, increased buying interest from institutions led to a local wholesale and retail horticultural company to convert almost three acres of greenhouse space for the production of several types of vegetable and fruit crops.
• Engaged schools. The availability of off-season produce in the greenhouses led local school districts to realize they could purchase local food for approximately nine months out of the year. As of the spring of 2009, the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative is collaborating with the school system to provide children and their families access to healthier food options.
• Increased commitment to buying local. Luther College, a local private college in the region, will contract with local producers for seven high volume food products in 2009, and has committed to purchasing 35 percent of its food from local producers by 2012.

In two years, the initial $20,000 provided by the RFSWG in 2006 to support the NIFF Coalition has leveraged approximately $1.2 million in food and fiber infrastructure and resources for the region. This includes investment in greenhouses, apple and pear trees, grapes, poultry expansions, garden expansions, honey bee production, farm stand marketing, construction of packing sheds, hydroponic production, and much more.

• Per Teresa Wiemerslage, “Because of RFSWG funding we were able to give out a series of mini-grants to local producers; this will be our third year to offer those grants. As a result we were able to leverage almost $800,000 off of that $10,000 investment.” The NIFF Coalition partnered with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Community Vitality Center and local organization in this endeavor.
• Included in the $1.2 million figure is a $500,000 planning grant for the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
• By tracking the local food purchases of four to five institutions in the last two years, the NIFF Coalition identified an increase of more than $377,000.
• The NIFF Coalition has also documented more than $222,000 in increased food sales from local farmers to restaurants, food co-ops, and other institutions.

Additional information on the NIFF Coalition

Photos of the Food and Fitness group in action