Cultivate: Local Food Connections

09/03/2026

Join the and Food Sustainability Advisory Committee for a special book talk featuring Nessa Richman, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council and author of Food Policy Councils: Building Civic Engagement and Community Well-Being. 🌱

The evening will connect those ideas to work happening here in Iowa, including the role local food policy councils and coalitions can play in identifying community priorities, bringing diverse voices to the table, and helping communities shape their local food systems.

This event follows the Annual Conference. We encourage you to make a day of it and attend both the conference and the Food Systems Book Talk. Registration for each event is separate. 🎟

Tuesday, September 29th | Networking begins at 4PM
Olmsted Center, Drake University (2875 University Ave, Des Moines)

Head over to the events page on our website to find out more!

09/01/2026

We're bringing our blender bike out for the Drake Sprout Garden Fall Harvest Party 🥤 There will be fun activities, samples, and of course, smoothies made with local food 🫐🍓🍑 It's free to attend, come hang out with us and ride the blender bike for yourself 😁

Tuesday, September 8th | 4:30-6:30 PM
30th St & Carpenter Ave

08/28/2026

Looking for a FREE family-friendly event to attend? Join us at Lillyland Farm to watch Farming While Black, eat delicious food, and learn about regenerative farming 🌱

is a feature-length documentary film that examines the historical plight of Black farmers in the United States and the rising generation reclaiming their rightful ownership to land and reconnecting with their ancestral roots.

Saturday, September 26th | 6:00-830 PM
Bring a blanket or chair! Registration is required through the link in our bio 🎟

08/27/2026

We're bringing our blender bike along to this free event. Come make some fresh salsa with us!

Hey Bulldogs!! We hope everyone is having a great first week of classes!

We would love for all of you to join us next week on Tuesday, September 8th at the Sprout Garden for Harvest Party! You will be able to explore Drake’s garden and enjoy some fresh produce!

We hope to see you there!💙🐶

08/25/2026

Believe it or not, September begins in just one week! We are celebrating all that is growing this season with our September Harvest Inspirations cooking class 🫑🍅🥬

Join us to learn more about cooking local produce, taste some local food, and meet people in the community!

Saturday, September 19th | 5:00-6:30
Hosted at the . Register now on our website, space is limited 🎟

08/21/2026

We had so much fun at getting our blender bike in shape! With this bike, we can make smoothies, salsas, and more, completely self-powered 🚲

Good news, our blender bike will be available to rent for your upcoming events soon. Stay tuned!

08/20/2026

TOMORROW NIGHT: Learn to can. Feed your neighbors.

Iowans are coming together to preserve 84 jars of tomatoes, 108 jars of pickles, and 12 lbs of honey for families across three counties, because when Congress cuts SNAP, we look out for each other.

RSVP to join the Des Moines event here:

SNAP cuts by Iowa’s Congressional delegation are making it tougher for people to flourish. In the face of these harsh cuts, we will respond as a community: Learn the food preservation technique of water bathing from master canners during this interactive session. As part of Supply Hive’s action-...

08/19/2026

Happening tomorrow! 📢 Join us and to learn how to can and preserve the abundance of summer. We will be canning pickles and tomatoes 🍅🥒

These classes are part of our Farm to Table for All initiative, which you can learn more about on our website!

Free to attend | Hosted at Wakonda Christian Church

08/18/2026

Sharpen your knives, we've got some great upcoming cooking classes for you to learn all about using locally grown ingredients 👩‍🍳🔪 We have something for everyone - from vegetable-forward dishes to sustainably grown pork. All cooking classes will end with a shared meal, so come hungry!

Registration is required, and space is limited, so grab your ticket today through our bio or on our website 🎟

Hosted at the Iowa Food Co-op