Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Next Food Policy Council Meeting

The Johnson County Food Policy Council usually meets on the third Mondays of the month from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. The next meeting is Monday, April 15, 2024 at the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building in Conference Room 214 B/C, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Meetings agendas are posted a week in advance at  http://bit.ly/jocomeeting.

2024 Farm to Street Beneficiary Application 

The Iowa City Farm to Street Dinner is a local food event presented through a joint effort between Johnson County, the City of Iowa City, and the Iowa City Downtown District as a fundraising event for local food initiatives. The mission of the Farm to Street Dinner is to bring together members of Iowa City's diverse, vibrant community to share a table, a story, and a meal, while supporting our local food system.

Each year, the revenue from the Farm to Street Dinner is awarded to an area organization that is working to enhance our local food system. The selected beneficiary may receive up to $8,000. This application is open to all Iowa City/Johnson County organizations pursuing the below objectives:

• To build a more intact, vibrant, and inclusive local foods system.
• To create opportunities for more community residents to engage in their food system in a meaningfully way.
• To educate the public on food system issues and initiatives.
• To create and encourage partnerships within the food system.

Deadline for applications: Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Event date: Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 5-8 pm

Visit this link to apply.

Johnson County's Local Food System 

Johnson County is a unique region in Iowa where the rural landscape meets our urban centers in many dynamic ways. We are a brilliant mix of talent, experience, and culture. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors and staff are committed to building a thriving local food system -- where the environment flourishes, businesses succeed, and everyone has access to diverse and culturally relevant food.

What is the food system?

The food system is defined as the chain of activities connecting food production, processing, distribution, marketing, transportation, access, consumption and waste management.

Local foods in Johnson County

In the fall of 2015, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors created a new position - the Local Foods and Planning Specialist - as part of the Planning, Development and Sustainability department. In 2018, the Local Foods Coordinator position was moved to the Board of Supervisors Office. The Local Foods Coordinator works closely with the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, county planners and community partners to increase local food production and access in Johnson County.

By creating this position, Johnson County is acknowledging the importance local foods have in our county, and that by developing a community-based food system, we are supporting all sectors of our environment - from public health to conservation..

Why local foods and the County?

The food system has significant, daily impacts on the residents of Johnson County in terms of the environment, the local economy, employment, the transportation system, public health and waste. Everyone eats, therefore everyone is engaged in the food system.

In Johnson County, we see the need to build the community resources of our food system - and we are working to create a robust system that promotes worker's rights and builds resilience in the natural environment. The advancement of our local food system will enhance rural and urban economic development, increase access to nutritious food and build equity in our community.