Grand opening of the Iowa Valley Food Co-op Sept. 21

Fresh, seasonal fare created by local producers is the heart of the local food movement. Over 30 producer members, representing over 60 Eastern Iowa farms, and 140 consumer member households have banded together to increase the amount of local food bought and sold in Cedar Rapids, IA through the newly opened Iowa Valley Food Co-op (IVFC). In order to promote the benefits of the cooperative and celebrate 18 months of hard work, there will be an IVFC Grand Opening celebration for members and other supporters of local food held from 4-6 PM on September 21, 2011, at the First Presbyterian, 310 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.

WHAT: Grand Opening of the Iowa Valley Food Co-op

WHEN: 4-6 PM on September 21, 2011

WHERE: First Presbyterian, 310 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION FOR ALL LOCAL FOOD CONSUMERS AND SUPPORTERS

Co-op leaders and producer members will be on hand to answer questions about the cooperative and greet the public. The Grand Opening will feature sampling, gift certificates and door prizes from many IVFC producers, a presentation on preserving food by Linn County ISU Extension, and a raffle for a $50 shopping spree. In addition the first Board of Directors of the co-op will be announced during the Grand Opening celebration.

At this time local producers who will attend the IVFC Grand Opening include: Acoustic Farms, Brenneman Farmstead Cheese, Café Del Sol Roasting, Daily Bread Bakery, Earth Biscuit Farm, Ebersole Cattle Co, Eggheads Baby, Frog Hollow Farm, Grandma's Soap, Heritage Breeds Meat, May's 3rd Street Bakery, Pheasant Run Farm, Prairie Rose Farm, Rapid Creek Ranch, and Rehberg's Pork. Samples will include grilled beef, pork and chevon, tomatoes, artisanal cheeses, and a variety of baked goods.

IVFC is an innovative marketing effort that brings together local farmers and other local food entrepreneurs through an on-line ordering system. IVFC producer members are currently offering over 225 locally produced foods and other products, including meats, heirloom tomatoes, hot peppers, seasonal produce, freshly roasted coffees, fresh herbs, pies, bread, cookies, baked goods, award winning cheeses, handmade baby items and more.The purpose of the IVFC is to increase the availability of fresh, fairly priced, sustainably produced food in Eastern Iowa.

The purpose of the IVFC is to increase the availability of fresh, fairly priced, sustainably produced food in Eastern Iowa. Identified as one of the Top Ten Food Trends of 2011 by the Food Channel[1] the local food movement is flourishing across the country.

Event is open to all. For more information, www.iowavalleyfood.com

With support from

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Blooming Prairie Foundation

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Iowa Valley Resource, Conservation and Development

Prairie Ventures, LLC

First Presbyterian, Cedar Rapids, IA