The Regional Food Systems Working Group (RFSWG) is helping build vibrant and sustainable regional food systems in specific geographic areas in Iowa. RFSWG’s objective is to identify key elements within these geographic areas that will create resilient regional food systems, and provide support for groups to build capacity on those key elements that are weak or missing. Southwest Iowa Food and Farm Initiative (SWIFFI) is one of RFSWG’s regional groups.

Pottawattamie County is one of several counties included in SWIFFI. In 2008, members of the Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) in Pottawattamie County brought together a group of people interested in local foods to develop a strategic plan. This group included growers, food and beverage distributors, health care providers, elected officials, grocery retailers, and culinary professionals.

A dedicated group of volunteers worked together to develop a strategic local foods plan for southwest Iowa named Pottawattamie County Farm to Fork. The “Farm to Fork” mission is to facilitate and stimulate connections between growers and consumers, and to provide fresh, nutritious, safe, and local food while enhancing community health and economic vitality. The plan focuses on increasing the number of fruit and vegetable growers, improving the infrastructure system to support local foods, identifying new markets and distribution points, and educating growers and consumers on the benefits of local foods.

After the strategic plan was created and presented to the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to establish the Pottawattamie County Local Food Council, a first in the state of Iowa. In addition, the Board of Supervisors pledged to provide financial support for a local food staff person at a rate of $30,000/year for five years. A Local Foods Coordinator was hired and began work at the Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development office in March 2009. The Leopold Center provided an additional competitive grant towards the work of SWIFFI and this local foods coordinator. One of the first goals of the local foods council will be to implement the plan that has been outlined by the group. The council will provide a strong voice with local government, helping to move local food systems forward.

Additional information on the Pottawattamie County Local Foods Coordinator

More information about SWIFFI