Turns out, Iowa’s local food scene is a lot bigger than most people think. A new report from the Iowa Food System Coalition found 1,461 local food businesses spread across the state. From small farms and dairies to processors and local stores, it’s clear that more people are choosing to grow, make, and sell food close to home.

The team behind the report says this growth proves something important, that local food businesses are not just surviving, they’re creating real economic opportunities and building stronger communities along the way.

More Farms, More Flavor, More Heart

Bob Ferguson, who helps lead the coalition’s Farm and Food Business team, says the new numbers surprised even the experts. “There’s more there than one would suspect,” he shared. “There needs to be a lot more, but there’s already robust local infrastructure that interacts with itself to provide local goods and services.”

In simple words, local producers are working together, farmers, processors, markets, and small food businesses, creating a system that actually supports itself. And that’s huge for a state like Iowa, where agriculture has always been the backbone of life.

What the Numbers Really Show

Out of the 1,461 local businesses listed, a massive 1,074 are farmers and food producers. They’re followed by 189 meat processors and 47 food processors, the people who turn raw ingredients into the foods we see on shelves.

Then there are the smaller but essential categories: local wineries, restaurants, groceries, and dairies, with anywhere between 10 and 26 businesses in each group. The state also has a handful of breweries, coffee makers, caterers, and distributors keeping things fresh and personal.

So while big food chains often steal the spotlight, Iowa’s local food economy is quietly growing, rooted in real people, real products, and real passion.

Rebuilding What Was Lost in the Middle

Ferguson also pointed out something worth thinking about. Iowa’s food system is strong at the top (big producers) and bottom (small local farms), but the middle, where food gets processed and distributed, has thinned out over the years.

This new report gives hope that the middle isn’t gone; it’s just waiting for a comeback. “It doesn’t make sense for Iowa to import 90 to 95% of our food when we have the best ground,” Ferguson said. “We can create something significant without competing with large-scale production.”

In other words, Iowa already has what it takes. It just needs people willing to rebuild that middle ground and keep the local food ecosystem alive.

Why Local Food Feels Different

Beyond the numbers, this movement is about something deeper, connection. Local food businesses bring character to communities. They give people reasons to feel proud of where they live. Ferguson calls it a “sense of placemaking” that feeling when you love your town because it has great local farmers’ markets, cozy cafes, and that one family-run dairy that’s been around forever.

And let’s be honest, food always tastes better when it’s made close to home.

The Road Ahead

The coalition gathered data from online directories like Choose Iowa, food hub networks, and state-licensed registries. But they admit this is probably an undercount since many small farms don’t even have websites.

Still, Ferguson is sure about one thing, this is just the beginning. “This is going to be a growing percentage of our food and a valuable element of economic development,” he said.

Iowa’s local food story isn’t just about business. It’s about pride, purpose, and people choosing to build something meaningful right where they are. And that’s a story worth celebrating.