Despite its strong agricultural market, Iowa imports most of its food from other states and countries. Event organizers hope to increase the amount of local food bought and sold in Iowa by bringing together state & national food buyers with local food producers. “Come to the Table” aims to expand the local foods market starting with a handshake. 

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – Lunch with pre-paid order

“Consumers are demanding local foods wherever food is served- at their grocery stores, restaurants, and even at catered events,” said Jason Grimm, Food System Planner from Iowa Valley RC&D. “This year’s event strives to make it easy for food buyers to connect with local food producers in order to meet that strong and growing demand.”

This marks the second year of the Summit. The Summit is now a full day featuring a panel of local food businesses, formal networking of buyers, farmers and food entrepreneurs and four afternoon workshops.

This year’s panel of local food businesses and representatives will showcase the many different ways to find, sell and buy local food in the area. Panelists includes:

• Andy Dunham  - Grinnell Heritage Farm
• Dave Burt – Red Avocado Restaurant
• Kelly Crossley – Solon School District
• Rob Marqusee – Woodbury County Rural Economic Development
• Jesse Singerman - Iowa Valley Food Coop
• Ryan Jepsen – Grass Run Farms

This year the Summit will feature formal networking opportunities for buyers and producers. Event organizers call this ‘speed dating’ for the local food system. Producers will be provided a table and placard and buyers will be able to rotate around the room to meet farmers and food entrepreneurs one on one. The second half of the networking sessions will include buyers getting the chance to meet with groups of potential local food vendors.

Following lunch, participants will be invited to participate in one of 4 workshops. Workshops will be on GAP Certification Programs and Opportunities, Cost of Production and Procurement, Approaching Your Annual Budget to Purchase Local Food, and Menu and Crop planning for Farmers and Buyers.

This year the planning team wanted to expand on last year’s successful event by providing opportunities for buyers and producers to meet one on one and holding workshops where successes and challenges can be discussed on current events.