Field to Family is an Iowa City nonprofit that promotes the consumption of local food. Clear Creek Amana Community School District (CCACSD) sources local produce and dairy for the lunch menu through the food hub. The district has also hosted "Farmer Fairs" in partnership with Field to Family's Farm to School program to connect students with local food and farmers. 

Debbie spoke at length with Secretary about the benefits of farm to school and working with Field to Family. She expressed her passion for connecting students with fresh, healthy food and teaching them about where it comes from. The secretary expressed interest in connecting with Debbie and CCACSD again in the fall as well. 

Additionally, Debbie shared a wonderful story about a student who participated in the summer lunch program. She said the student absolutely loved the local cherry tomatoes on the menu, and until she started taking school meals home, her mother had no idea she even liked tomatoes. It was a great tribute to the impact farm to school procurement can have on students' diets and health, even during the pandemic. 

"So much of what we do is not just serving the meals," Debbie told Secretary Naig. "It's the education."