Celebrate food, sustainability at ISU food festival

AMES — Iowa Sate University Local Food Festival brings local food sources to ISU’s campus in Ames Sept. 25.

The Farm, Food and Enterprise Development unit, ISU Live Green! initiative, Horticulture Research Station and ISU Dining, along with support from other departments and organizations, at Iowa State University are hosting the annual ISU Local Food Festival Sept. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Iowa State’s Central Campus, between Curtiss Hall and Beardshear Hall.

The festival was first organized in 2015 and features local farm and food businesses, community organizations, ISU departments and student organizations.

The Local Food Festival offers the ISU community an opportunity to source local products and meet the producers; engage around topics such as local food systems, health, wellness and sustainability; and learn about the initiatives of various organizations and departments.

“The Local Food Festival is a really special event that helps folks on campus connect with local businesses and organizations and learn about the many different ways we can all support a more sustainable community, all while sampling and purchasing locally grown and produced foods,” said Megan Kemp, education extension specialist for Farm, Food and Enterprise Development.

The event is free and open to the public.

Attendees will have four hours to visit various booths lining the sidewalk between Beardshear Hall and Curtiss Hall. Booths will offer a variety of samples, products for purchase, informational flyers and giveaways.

For a list of vendors and sponsors of the festival, visit the Local Food Festival website.

“The festival benefits both the ISU community and participating vendors and booths. An important aspect of the festival planning is providing a low-barrier opportunity for vendors and the ISU community to connect and share about local foods, healthy lifestyles and sustainability,” said Kemp.

Vendor and sponsor opportunities are also available. Vending allows for promotion of organizations or businesses during the festival. Sponsorships help keep the Local Food Festival an accessible platform for vendors to gain visibility with students, faculty and staff.

To reserve a free booth and/or sponsor the festival, fill out the vendor and sponsor form by Sept. 8.

For more information regarding the festival, visit the Local Food Festival website. For answers to questions, please contact Megan Kemp at mkemp@iastate.edu.