The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded $371,955.05 to the Iowa Farmers Union Education Foundation, doing business as the Iowa Farmers Union, through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175) on September 30, 2021. The three-year project grant will support the continued development, coordination and expansion of local and regional food systems in Iowa through September 29, 2024. Core partners such as the Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and SPPG have been working with this funding to improve Iowa's local food systems through research, support programs, education, policy advocacy and other efforts. The award will allow these partners to further jumpstart their initiatives aimed at strengthening local agriculture markets and food supply chains across the state.