The Iowa Food Hub Managers Working Group by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recently shared the 2024 Food Hub Impact Report outlining the role of food hubs in Iowa’s food system. The organization explains that these hubs can bridge the distribution gaps in the food system and sold over $4 million of local food in the state last year, showing an 11% increase from 2023. 

They aim to enhance food security and support local agriculture while fostering a sense of community with access to healthy food. The food hubs worked with over 450 farms and businesses. 

The largest customer group was farm-to-cafeteria, connecting farms to school lunch rooms in over 200 districts. Schools in Washington, Henry, Iowa, Johnson and Jefferson counties participated. 

The food hubs also supported organizations like food banks, pantries, and hunger organizations. 

Also noted, six of the food hubs received USDA Resilient Food System Infrastructure grants to support aggregation and distribution activities. Funds helped increase cold storage and replace delivery trucks. 

The report notes, the USDA has canceled upcoming rounds of certain funding, and the hubs are exploring some new outlets for 2025 crops.