Choose Iowa, a program within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, identifies and promotes food, beverages and ag products that are grown, raised and made in Iowa. The Choose Iowa state brand program can be used by participating farmers, producers, processors, farmers markets, grocery stores, restaurants and many others in the supply chain to connect directly with consumers. The program was enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022. Choose Iowa grants are available for projects focused on increasing the availability of Iowa grown, raised and made food, beverages and ag products.

The Choose Iowa promotional program was established to provide consumers a choice in purchasing food items that originate as an agricultural commodity produced on Iowa farms. Since the program was launched in 2022, we realized that consumer depend for Iowa products went beyond foods and beverages. Thus, in 2025 horticulture products, such as plants, trees, holiday greens, etc. were added to the program as well as fiber goods.

Merriam-Webster defines a commodity as a “product of agriculture”, and Oxford Languages says a commodity is a “useful or valuable thing”. When the Iowa Legislature established Choose Iowa in 2022, the precious ag products raised, grown, produced and made in Iowa.

Iowa food producers, processors, retailers, wholesalers and distributors, as well as supporting organizations are invited to apply for Choose Iowa participation and be included in the online directory.

• Producers include farmers, growers, dairies, CSAs (community supported agriculture).
• Processors include bakeries, meat lockers, growers who process, breweries, cideries, distilleries and wineries.
• Retailers include restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets, stores, farms with on-farm retail sales and off-farm sales stands, CSAs and food hubs with on-site sales.
• Wholesalers/Distributors include farms selling wholesale and food hubs.
• Supporting Organizations include commodity groups, professional associations, non-profits, and other government agencies.

Choose Iowa program participants in good standing may be approved to use the Choose Iowa logo on packaging, labels, flyers, promotional materials, or other materials. If you’re not already in the Choose Iowa program, join today!

Choose Iowa program participants self-certify all products marked with the Choose Iowa logo meet the qualification criteria.

Choose Iowa participants enjoy the following benefits:

• Use of Choose Iowa logo on food labels, packaging and more.
• Inclusion in the online Find Local directory.
• Option to participate in Choose Iowa Passport.
• Invitations to display and participate in events throughout Iowa.
• Promote your business’s events on the Choose Iowa website.
• Learning opportunities via Lunch and Learn webinars.
• Choose Iowa marketing materials at no additional cost.
• Member newsletter with grant/funding opportunities, program updates, industry news and more.
• Social media and digital promotions.
• Opportunities to connect, share and grow with fellow Choose Iowa members.
• Eligibility to sell to food banks and schools via the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Programs.

Participation in the Choose Iowa is on an annual basis is only $100, renewable every 12 months.

Find the full contest details and an online submission form on the Kids & Teachers page.

Project eligibility including eligible and ineligible expenses as part of grant project budgets are included in the Choose Iowa Grant Program Guidelines. (link)

Yes

No, in-kind contributions are not accepted. The financial match must be from private sources such as cash, financing or other grant funds.

The Choose Iowa Grant is a reimbursement grant, and funds are reimbursed after the grant project is completed and documentation has been submitted demonstrating the entire project.

Yes, prior applicants including previous grant recipients are welcome to apply again. Priority may be given to those who have not yet been awarded Choose Iowa Grant funds.