About Field to family
Field to Family: Creating a Sustainable and Healthy Food System in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids
Field to Family is a non-profit organization that aims to create a more sustainable, healthy, and local food system in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids region. The organization was founded in 2007 by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to address the issues of food insecurity, environmental degradation, and economic inequality in their community.
The mission of Field to Family is simple yet powerful: "to build connections between farmers, consumers, businesses, and organizations that support local agriculture." By doing so, the organization hopes to promote sustainable farming practices, increase access to fresh and healthy foods for all members of the community regardless of income level or location.
One of the key initiatives undertaken by Field to Family is its Local Food Alliance program. This program brings together farmers, chefs, retailers, distributors as well as other stakeholders involved in the local food system. The goal is to create a more robust network that supports small-scale farmers while also providing consumers with access to fresh produce grown locally.
Another important initiative undertaken by Field to Family is its Farm-to-School program. This program works with schools across Iowa City and Cedar Rapids region providing students with fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally. The aim here is not only promoting healthy eating habits but also educating children about where their food comes from while supporting local farmers.
Field-to-Family has also been instrumental in creating several farmer's markets across Iowa City & Cedar Rapids region where small-scale farmers can sell their produce directly without having middlemen involved. These markets provide an opportunity for consumers who are interested in buying locally produced foods while supporting small-scale farms.
In addition to these programs mentioned above Field-to-Family has been working on several other initiatives such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs which allow individuals or families purchase shares from local farms at the beginning of each growing season; this provides them with regular deliveries throughout the season. The organization also provides education and training programs for farmers, consumers, and businesses interested in sustainable agriculture practices.
Field-to-Family has been successful in creating a more sustainable and healthy food system in the Iowa City & Cedar Rapids region. The organization has received several awards for its work including the 2019 Iowa Environmental Council's "Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Award" which recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
In conclusion, Field-to-Family is an organization that is making a significant impact on the local food system in Iowa City & Cedar Rapids region. Its initiatives are not only promoting healthy eating habits but also supporting small-scale farmers while creating a more sustainable future for all members of the community. With its continued efforts, Field-to-Family will undoubtedly continue to be a leader in promoting local agriculture while providing access to fresh and healthy foods for all members of the community regardless of income level or location.