Growing Together: How Local Farms Feed Our Community

At the HACAP Food Reservoir, we’re proud to play a part in our local food system. On Iowa Local Foods Day, we want to take a moment to shine a light on the incredible work happening with local farmers and producers—people who grow and raise Iowa foods that end up on the tables of our neighbors in need.

Working with local producers is about so much more than sourcing food. It’s about building relationships, learning from one another, and connecting communities that rely on each other. Right now, the HACAP Food Reservoir partners with over 40 local producers across Eastern Iowa to provide staples like produce, meat, and dairy. In FY2025 alone, we purchased more than 225,000 pounds of locally sourced food, and generous donations from local producers added another 54,000 pounds. That’s a lot of food moving from local fields and farms straight into the hands of our neighbors.

These partnerships wouldn’t be possible without strong support networks. Programs like the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) and Choose Iowa Farm to Food Banks help make local sourcing sustainable, supporting local producers while ensuring our neighbors have access to wholesome foods.

We also want to give a heartfelt thank-you to our local partners who make it easier to connect with producers—Field to Family Food Hub, Feed Iowa 1st, Bass Farms, Lopata Gardens, and the Jones County Pork Producers. Their work and guidance help us grow stronger, more connected, and more effective in our mission.

Focusing on local food has been an intentional effort for the HACAP Food Reservoir, and it’s one we’re excited to continue. It’s a win-win: supporting local farmers, strengthening communities, and making sure neighbors in need have access to good food. On this Iowa Local Foods Day, we celebrate the people, the partnerships, and the places that make it all possible.