Secretary Naig Announces 125 Schools Receive Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools Grants, Encourages Iowans to Participate in Iowa Local Food Day

DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 16, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that 125 Iowa public and private schools will receive funding through the Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools Program to purchase Iowa grown and raised food. Each participating school will receive approximately $1,600, which will be matched at least one-to-one by the school to double the impact and generate additional purchases of local food.

Secretary Naig Congratulates Beattie's Melon Patch for Winning 2026 “Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food” Contest

Third annual contest celebrates Iowa State Fair foods made with ingredients grown, raised and made in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (Aug. 21, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today congratulated Beattie's Melon Patch for winning the third annual “Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food” contest during the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Beattie's Melon in a Cup (watermelon) was selected by fairgoers who cast their votes from signage at participating food stands.

Secretary Naig Announces Honor Harvest Food Box Program Connecting Iowa Veterans with Choose Iowa Members

DES MOINES, Iowa (Aug. 10, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the launch of Honor Harvest, a new food box program that will connect eligible Iowa Veterans with fresh, locally grown food sourced exclusively from Choose Iowa members as part of an innovative Food is Medicine pilot project.

Secretary Naig Invites Fairgoers to Get into the “Fair Spirit” with Choose Iowa at the 2026 Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, Iowa (Aug. 6, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting fairgoers to get into the “Fair Spirit” Choose Iowa during the 2026 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 13-23 in Des Moines. As an official sponsor of the Iowa State Fair, Choose Iowa will showcase the people, food, agriculture and traditions that make Iowa special through events, activities and experiences across the Fairgrounds.

Secretary Naig Awards 30 Value-Added Grants as Momentum Behind Choose Iowa Continues to Build

Secretary Naig Awards 30 Value-Added Grants as Momentum Behind Choose Iowa Continues to Build

Value-added grants help farmers and small businesses expand and diversify the availability of Iowa grown, Iowa raised, and Iowa made food, beverages, and ag products 

Date: November 6, 2025

Highlighting Choose Iowa Veteran-Owned Members for Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, Choose Iowa proudly recognizes and celebrates the Iowa farmers, food producers, and entrepreneurs who have served our country in uniform — and who continue to serve their communities as Iowa farmers and processors