First held in 2015, the Local Food Festival occurs annually on ISU’s Central Campus. The outdoor event features local food samples, live recipe demonstrations, meal planning tips and locally grown/produced foods (apples, popcorn, ice cream, fudge, honey, etc.) for sale by vendors and student organizations. The festival may also offer free bike tune-ups and giveaways such as reusable grocery bags.
According to the USDA, a product can be marketed as locally/regionally produced if its end-point purchase is within 400 miles from its origin or within state boundaries. However, most retailers, restaurants and food services often define local to be on a smaller scale within 100–150 miles.
The 2025 Local Food Festival will be held Wednesday September 4th on Central Campus. For more information, how to volunteer or sign up as a vendor, check out the event webpage.