Dig into Local Foods and Sustainable Food Systems
Field to Family has a surplus of knowledge to share about local foods and sustainable farming. But we prefer to shine the spotlight on our growers and farmers whenever possible.
Check out our articles about local producers and partners, sustainable food systems, and about the work Field to Family is doing throughout Eastern Iowa.
Wasson Produce
Karen Wasson has been selling fruits and vegetables at Iowa City-area markets since the mid-80s. Though she grew up raising tomatoes on her parents’ farm, she never expected growing produce to become a decades-spanning career for herself. Wasson Produce started, she said, because her young daughter didn’t want her to go to work.
Food Deserts & Food Apartheid
The word ‘desert’ also makes us think of an empty, absolutely desolate place. But there is so much life, vibrancy, and potential in these communities… Let’s face it: healthy, fresh food is accessible in wealthy neighborhoods while unhealthy food abounds in poor neighborhoods.’Food apartheid’ underscores that this is the result of decades of discriminatory planning and policy decisions.
Coralville Community Food Pantry: Creating Dignity with Local Foods
When a community member visits a food pantry, they may not anticipate bringing home bunches of fresh cilantro and cartons of just-picked cherry tomatoes. “People are expecting to get the leftovers,” said John Boller, executive director of the Coralville Community Food Pantry.
Echollective Farm Grows for Change
At Echollective Farm, responsible farming means prioritizing the ecosystem and community alike. “So often, the conversation can go far in either direction and not include the other,” said farmer Molly Schintler. To nourish the planet, Echollective uses organic farming practices and intentional conservation methods.
Reflecting on two years growing wholesale
It’s easy to find a pint of locally grown cherry tomatoes in Johnson County, Iowa in September. It’s not so easy to find enough to feed an entire school district. In June 2019, Field to Family evolved into a nonprofit food hub in an effort to tackle that challenge.
5 Reasons Our Vendors Love the Online Farmers Market
Shopping online has become increasingly popular among consumers, but selling products digitally comes with its own perks, too. Small-scale farmers and business owners can attest: online local foods sales are a win-win for shoppers and vendors alike. In fact, strong demand from vendors was a major factor driving Field to Family to offer a second Online Farmers Market season in 2021.
The Berry Basket Farm
Farmer Mark Gingerich says if you want the biggest strawberries, go to Walmart. But if you want the freshest, sweetest basket of fruit, pick your own. “I’m a big proponent of agency,” he said. “If you put in the effort to pick your own strawberries, there’s something rewarding about that.” Mark and his wife, Katrina, own and operate The Berry Basket Farm, a U-pick strawberry patch in rural Iowa City.
Sustainable Farming Practices Explained
What the hay are cover crops? What’s the difference between produce that’s Certified Organic or organically grown? Scroll through to learn more about some common sustainable farming practices in Iowa. Want to learn more about your favorite farmers’ practices? Check out the producer page on our online storefront for more information about our farmer partners or read our farmer features.
Beekeeping and the Seasons
A beekeeper’s secret to a bountiful hive: tuning into nature’s seasonal cues. Paying close attention to things like solstice dates, bud bursts and even animal calls can help beekeepers not only produce more honey (yum!) but cultivate abundant bee populations. West Des Moines beekeeper Julia McGuire is on a mission to better understand phenology, the study of cyclical and seasonal natural phenomena, across Iowa.
A Q&A with Trumpet Blossom Café: Why Chef Katy Meyer sources local
At Trumpet Blossom Café in Iowa City, the menu changes seasonally, even daily, but it almost always features locally sourced ingredients. Chef and owner Katy Meyer is committed to taking care of the planet, serving high-quality food to her customers and participating in our region’s thriving local food system.
The Food Supply Chain: Local vs. Conventional
Where does your food come from? Over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food systems, according to the United Nations FAO. It’s almost impossible to create a truly carbon-neutral plate, but some options are less impactful than others. Food grown and consumed locally has the benefit of travelling far fewer miles from farm to plate than conventional foods.
Community Supported Agriculture F.A.Q.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a growing model of direct-marketing for farmers growing diversified crops. As a consumer/fan of local food, however, you might have some questions about getting involved. Learn more about Community Supported Agriculture below, and be sure to check out Field to Family’s CSA Guide to explore CSA options in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas.
Gifting Local Food with the Online Farmers Market
If you’ve been enjoying the Online Farmers Market yourself, why not share the joy of local food and farm products with your loved ones this holiday season? From stocking stuffers to gift sets and everything in between, our vendors have a wide variety of gift-ready products available for sale.
Tips for Keeping Local on the Table All Winter Long
Winter is coming; it’s time to stock up. There may be only a few Online Farmers Markets left, but you can keep local food on the table all winter long if you start preparing now. Check out our tips below, and remember that spending more now not only gives our vendors a late-season boost, but means you’ll have fewer trips to the store and better-tasting food in the cold months ahead.
Farm to School Month: Four At-Home Activities
October is Farm to School Month, and in a typical year, students would be getting an extra dose of edible education with Farmer Fairs, tasting events and other in-school experiences. Check out these at-home activity suggestions to help keep Farm to School learning alive and well no matter where school happens for your family this fall.
Farmer James Nisly: A Champion for Local Lunches
Kalona farmer James Nisly’s passions for healthy eating and local food production are so great, his influence has extended into area schools, shaping cafeteria menus for over a decade. His farm, Organic Greens LLC, has been producing organic sprouts, greens and field crops since 1998.
Garden Oasis Farm Connects People with their Health Through Good Food
When COVID-19 first had people panic shopping and stockpiling meat earlier this year, farmer T.D. Hollub started getting emails. His farm’s current CSA customers were glad they had a secure source of food coming their way, and others wanted in, too. “It’s so nice to know where your food comes from, and it’s really nice if you have those connections,” Holub said.
Connection with UI Builds Vital Support for One Local Farmer
The University of Iowa’s commitment to sourcing local produce creates a powerful connection between local farmers and the students and personnel the university feeds every day, a connection that benefits all involved. University of Iowa chefs cite freshness and quality among their reasons for buying local. Scholars receive nutritious meals to fuel their minds and bodies as they teach and learn.
