Leopold Center - Meeting to explore potential markets for local food at ISU

2-21-07

MEETING TO EXPLORE POTENTIAL MARKETS FOR LOCAL FOOD AT ISU

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa farmers and food processors interested in seeing their local products on the menu for Iowa State University students and staff are invited to a February 28 information meeting.

The meeting will be 9 to 11 a.m. on campus in the South Ballroom of the ISU Memorial Union. Farmers and processors of Iowa-grown products who can supply appropriate quantities year-round or have seasonal products available between mid-August and May are invited to the meeting.

ISU Dining Director Nancy Levandowski will discuss her plans for including more local and organic foods in the selections available to diners at the university. ISU Dining operates three residential dining centers, four food convenience stores and 11 cafes and restaurants across campus for students, faculty and staff as well as a catering service.

The meeting is hosted by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at ISU and three farm organizations interested in expanding markets for Iowa farmers: Practical Farmers of Iowa, the Iowa Network for Community Agriculture and the Iowa Farmers Union.

For more information about the meeting, contact Rich Pirog, who leads the Center's Marketing and Food Systems Initiative, at (515) 294-1854, or rspirog@iastate.edu.