A consumer-facing initiative dedicated to empowering food-minded Iowa residents to gain firsthand experience and learn from experts in the agriculture and food industries recently launched a new event series.

Food U is an exclusive program for Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP) Champions – individuals who want to take a proactive role in learning more about all things food and farming. The activities include business and farm tours and meeting with individuals and groups who are involved in agriculture. All Iowa FFP Champions are volunteer participants.

Eighteen Iowa FFP Champions participated in the inaugural Food U event on June 28 and toured several facilities in central Iowa. The sites included the Monsanto Learning Center to explore biotechnology and the Iowa State University Dairy Farm to learn about dairy production – the fifth-largest agricultural business in Iowa. The event also included lunch and a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour of Jethro’s BBQ Steak n’ Chop, whose parent company, Jethro’s BBQ, is the single largest buyer of pork in the state, purchasing more than 1 million lb. from Iowa farmers each year.

“The events and tours are geared toward having open and honest conversations with consumers to deepen an understanding of modern agriculture and food production in Iowa,” said Aaron Putze, Iowa Soybean Assn. communications director.

“Through subscribers to Iowa FFP’s monthly 'Fresh Pickings' newsletter and our social media followers, we’ve built an audience of more than 100,000 consumers. That’s roughly the equivalent of the combined population of Dubuque, Mason City and Newton [Iowa],” added Putze, who helps coordinate the Iowa FFP. “We have a significant audience, and the interest in this type of program further speaks to the type of information consumers crave in learning more about how food is grown and who’s growing it.”

Participants in the first Food U came from a variety of industries, including health care, food banks, administrative services, communications, grocery stores, education and manufacturing.

“Food U was an amazing experience. I was able to see firsthand the significant work and incredible impact Iowa farmers make across the globe,” said Emily Shearer, a participant and Iowa FFP Champion who works full time as the food acquisition coordinator for the Food Bank of Iowa.

She continued, “Whether it was learning about how advancements in equipment technology help farmers access their farm’s processes right from their cell phones, getting a private tour through the kitchen of a local restaurant cooking locally sourced food or seeing milk get made from start to finish, Food U gave a great insight into the work being done all over our state. Regardless of your level of knowledge about food and farming, there was truly something for everyone.”

A second Food U event is planned for later this summer.

Launched in 2011, the Iowa FFP is supported by more than 35 partners, including the Iowa Soybean Assn., Iowa Pork Producers Assn., Iowa Beef Industry Assn., Iowa Corn Growers Assn., Iowa Egg Council, Iowa Turkey Federation, Midwest Dairy Assn., United Soybean Board, Casey’s General Store, DuPont Pioneer and Hy-Vee Inc.