LFC has recently partnered with the University of Iowa Art and Ecology class to create a cookbook that incorporates LFC clients’ and farmers’ stories and recipes. The cookbook will feature local foods and local contributors. This is made possible with the help of social service agencies such as Iowa City Headstart, the ARC of Southeast Iowa and the Iowa City Elder Services Office at Ecumenical Towers. The three main goals of the cookbook is to educate on healthy cooking and good nutrition, build a sense of community and increase access to fresh, healthy, local foods.

The Art and Ecology class is taught by Sarah Kanouse, Assistant Professor of Intermedia. The course explores artistic responses to environmental and related social issues. This cookbook is part of the second half of the course’s service-learning project designed to boost civic engagement among University of Iowa students. Professor Kanouse’s fourteen students are excited and enthusiastic about working with LFC to compile, edit and publish the cookbook. They began working on the project February 18 and have since provided over 500 volunteer hours to research, editing and design services. They have raised awareness of the project by speaking with potential contributors and making presentations. Through their involvement in the project, hopefully other UI students will be made more aware of local poverty, hunger and food justice and be better prepared to address these issues.

Thanks to a generous grant provided by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, printing and advertising of the cookbook will be possible. HACAP is a community action agency that provides service in six area Iowa counties, Johnson included. Through funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), HACAP is able to carry out its mission to, “Help people develop skills to become successful and build strong communities”. Learn more about HACAP here: http://www.hacap.org/

Their commitment to treating all humans with dignity and respect is in line with the LFC mission and goals of this cookbook. The book will act as a tool to provide better access to low-income families about cooking and nutrition, allow them to share their knowledge with others and give them a better connection to the broader community. Because of this grant, LFC will be able to increase clients’ and farmers’ involvement and commitment to LFC, raise awareness about opportunities provided by LFC and function as an outreach tool to the general public.