Decorah-based Iowa Food Hub gets $88,000 federal grant

The US Department of Agriculture has awarded an $88,000 grant to Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission in partnership with the Iowa Food Hub, which has offices in Decorah.
 
The money will help further increase local food recognition on rural grocery store shelves in Northeast Iowa.

What started in 2012 as several small pilot projects renting cooler space at a grocery store in Decorah has now grown into a food distribution business helping over 50 northeast Iowa farmers connect to markets and buyers within a 150 mile radius. 

"We connect farmers to markets," said IFH Coordinator Nick Mabe.  "The food hub is not a retail business.  Rather, we provide the infrastructure to connect public and private schools, hospitals, universities, grocery stores and workplaces to good food grown by our region's farmers."

The food hub focuses on small and medium-sized farm viability, food access and equality, local economic development, job creation and retention, beginning and established farmers, food system research and education.