Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

Attendance at subcommittee meetings by lobbyists and the public is via zoom or in-person. See agenda for zoom details. Only authenticated users are permitted access.

SSB 3190

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection.(See SF 2487.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Shipley-CH, Staed, Zumbach

Date: Monday, April 6, 2026

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Room 315

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

04-03-2026

Brigitte Mohler

Please include funding for the Choose Iowa School Purchasing. Connecting our schools to local food strengthens our local food system and our school nutrition programs. Healthy eating starts young and access to locally grown produce can make a huge difference.

04-03-2026

Bob Howard

I would like to see the Choose Iowa School Purchasing Program receive dedicated funding. These funds are a small part of the budget but have large local impacts on Iowa farmers, the communities they live in & most of all provide Iowa kids woth the freshest local healthy I would like to see the Choose Iowa School Purchasing Program receive dedicated funding. available while at school. Please make it a priority & part of the annual budget like the Choose Iowa food bank program already is.

04-03-2026

Lisa Heiden-Kimball

As parents and community members, we request that you show up for our children and communities by supporting the funding of the Choose Iowa School Purchasing Program. Make children and healthy food options a priority by supporting the funding of this bill. It only makes sense to utilize our already existing state resources to add local, healthy food for schools and food banks. Children deserve to have local, healthy food options made available to them at our public schools to support their mental and physical health. Iowans deserve to be supported by funding that supports local markets. Thanks!

04-03-2026

Kristin Eggen [Decorah Farmers Market]

The Decorah Farmers Market supports continued funding for food banks and are advocating for additional investment so schools can be included as well. Iowa schools are already leading the way, working with farmers and food hubs to bring local food into cafeterias and build reliable, instate markets. Let's support their efforts with more funding for Iowagrown products!

04-03-2026

Megan Kemp

Its important to me, and many other Iowans, to see the funding of the Choose Iowa School Purchasing Program. Local foods support our economy, our farmers, and our youth. Please consider visiting the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care website for why we need local foods in schools.

04-03-2026

Christy Reisetter

I would like to see the Choose Iowa School Program funding continue because it's the right thing to do for our children and the hard working local farmers who work tirelessly to bring healthy food grown locally to as many people as possible, especially Iowa's children, to give them a great start at a healthy life.

04-03-2026

Emily Paulsen

Please dedicate funds for local food purchasing for schools through Choose Iowa. Local food in schools is good for kids, good for farmers and good for rural economies. Kids get nutrient dense FLAVORFUL whole foods and farmers get a stable base for their business from which they can grow and expand into more private sector sales. The Federal Local Food for Schools program showed an ROI of $1.94 for every dollar spent in the program. These types of programs are a massive win for Iowa's economy. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/iowaschoolsincreaselocalfoodpurchasesthroughnewgrantprogram

04-04-2026

Claire Asberry

Iowa farmers had a steady buyer, kids were eating fresh, local food at lunch. And according to ISU Extension, every dollar spent came back as $1.94 to our economy. That all ended in March 2025, when the federal Local Food for Schools program was cut. The same administration running on "Make America Healthy Again" called it "nonessential." This program worked. We need this program back... for our farmers, our kids, and our communities.

04-04-2026

Michelle Dill

Please add schools back to the Choose Iowa plan and increase the budget from last year there were a lot of schools that applied and have utilized those funds to support local producers, economic development, and better nutrition for our kids

04-04-2026

Tyler Raasch [Bridgewater farn]

Please imagine a mutually beneficial relationship between schools and local farms. Schools are one of the largest purchasers of food and most of it likely comes from food service monopolies that send money out of our local economy. Less than one percent of land in Iowa grows table food when we have the capacity to produce most of what is imported into the state. Attention related issues are now proven linked with poor food quality and we have some of the most micronutrient dense soil in the world that is not being properly utilized because a lack of demand and network. In this scenario it is necessary for government to help organize these connections and strengthen local economy by supporting with funding and leadership.We have a great opportunity to have nourishing and fulfilling meals like in schools in France.

04-05-2026

Beth Hoffman [Whippoorwill Creek Farm]

Investing in our children AND in Iowa's food farms in one go should be a no brainer. It is such a tiny fraction of the budget to feed our kids betterand it is great PR to look like our government cares about the people of Iowa. Let our tax dollars STAY in Iowa by supporting the Choose Iowa program for school lunch.

04-06-2026

Lilli Scott

Please fund the Choose Iowa School Purchasing Program. Our kids deserve to eat healthy, local foods grown right here in our state. A program like this not only improves the health of our children but also improves our economy by supporting our farmers and improves our environment by supporting local and more sustainable agriculture.

04-06-2026

Tommy Hexter

A small investment in local food makes a huge difference on the health and economic vitality of our rural communities. Schools are one of the most important markets for Choose Iowa growers and this program greatly aids in setting up connections between growers and school nutrition directors! Please add the Choose Iowa School Purchasing program back into the budget!