Organizations Fighting Hunger

Iowa Farm to School Chapter Initiative helps individuals and organizations establish Farm to School Chapters in their communities. Chapters can encompass an entire school district or simply be built around one school and a single project. They provide a resource packet with step-by-step instructions for starting a successful Farm to School chapter, and ongoing advice to chapters that register with them.

As a part of the Growing Together initiative, FFA chapters receive incentives to plant a fruit or vegetable that can be included in a school meal.  

"A" is for Apple Initiative supports teachers to get Iowa-grown apples into their classrooms and schools. Since 2008, the "A" is for Apple initiative has supported teachers with financial assistance, curriculum, and information about connecting with local Iowa apple growers.

The A Garden is the Way to Grow initiative offers Iowa schools the opportunity to apply for funding to create their own school garden. In 2013, funds of $350 were allocated to 20 school districts to buy the supplies necessary to create a garden or raised beds. In addition to funds, each participating school received a garden planner and seeds from Seed Saver Exchange along with either a nationally-recognized, elementary-level, garden-based curriculum "Growing in the Garden", or a refractometer / sap extractor.