As a new school year begins, 137 public school districts or private schools will receive grants to purchase local meat, produce, eggs, dairy and other food from area farmers. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will provide $2,000 grants to 137 participating school districts or schools to purchase meat, eggs, produce, dairy and other local foods from area farmers. Launched in 2022, Local Food for Schools (LFS) pairs school lunch programs with a local food hub to connect to area farmers. Local districts that are receiving the grants include Highland, Lone Tree, Riverside, and WACO. This latest and final round of Iowa LFS will run from August through December of 2024. The 137 public school districts or private schools are all participants in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.