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faq

Search our frequently asked questions and documents to learn more about our work.

1. How do I enroll in Local Foods Connection?

Individuals, families and agencies in the greater Iowa City area are eligible for enrollment in Local Foods Connection. We accept requests on a referral basis.

2. Are there volunteering opportunities available with Local Foods Connection?

Yes. Local Foods Connection is run primarily by volunteers. We need motivated and dependable people to help us accomplish our mission! We accept inquires from community members year-round. For University of Iowa students, Local Foods Connection has a limited number of volunteer and internship positions available each semester. Please read and complete the “Volunteer Information Form” below to learn more.

3. Where Can I Buy Local Food?

Local food comes from farms that are close enough to your home that you would be willing to drive to them and take a tour. Local implies a closeness that extends beyond physical distance; it also means knowledge of the land on which the food grown, the farmer who grows it and the agricultural methods the farmers uses in managing the land and his animals.

4. What do Your Clients Learn About Food and Farming?

Local Foods Connection offers its clients the opportunity to learn more about agriculture, health and nutrition. You will find an overview of our education program in the Local Foods Connection Activity Booklet.

One aspect of our education program is “Food Facts Sheets.” Throughout the growing season, we mail our clients informational pamphlets on topics such as: Vegetables and Fruits, Nutrition and Health, Farming and Sustainable Agriculture, and Cooking Techniques. Each pamphlet has a quiz that comes with it. The clients read the pamphlet, take a quiz and mail the quiz back to us. Not only do clients learn useful and interesting facts, they receive points for each answer. With these points, they can purchase kitchenware from our small store. These are also a tool for parents to their children about health and food.

We are working on translating our Food Facts Sheets into Spanish.

Everyone is welcome to use and reproduce all or part of these pamphlets – please just give us credit in a footnote, on a title page or during a presentation! Providing a link to our website is welcome. If you use any of our materials, please consider making a donation!

5. Why do Some People Need Help Accessing the Local Food Movement?

Local Foods Connection has conducted some research into the factors which influence the low-income consumers’ awareness and perceptions of fresh food and the local food movement in general.

Top Barriers to Local Food Access by the Low Income: We compiled a list of barriers that low-income individuals and families face in accessing fresh and local food. We did this to help our community better understand the complex factors that influence a person’s shopping and eating behaviors.

 

Farmers Market Survey: The goals of conducting this survey were to inform the Iowa City community about the barriers low-income families and individuals face to shopping at the farmers market and about the barriers market vendors face to accepting food assistance.

6. How Can I Bring Local Foods Connection to my Community?

Local Foods Connection serves the greater Iowa City area. We are writing a replication manual so that other communities around the country can be inspired by our work. In the meantime, we have made a basic outline of our programs.

7. How is Local Foods Connection Funded?

Most of our income comes from donations from individuals like you! Please consider making a donation. We also receive donations from community businesses and other nonprofit organizations and foundations.

8. “I Love the Artwork and Design of the Local Foods Connection Website! Who are the Artists?”