A pilot program run by the State of Iowa is battling food insecurity by growing local food networks. Farmers and distributors say the program is changing the way they run their businesses, although they aren't sure it will continue.
Michael Mahoney began farming mushrooms in his Iowa City garage almost six years ago. The walls are covered to bottom with blooming mushrooms in shades of orange, brown and white. A mister keeps the room perpetually damp.
His company, Rot's Bounty Gourmet Fungi, boasts a familiar sign at local farmer's markets. But the Iowa City market only runs from May to October. For years, Mahoney ran his business part-time, until the rollout of a state pilot program aimed at connecting local producers with regional food distributors.
"I've been trying to do this for over a decade, and I was able to switch to farming full-time," Mahoney said. "I think the interest from this program kind of helped to give me the confidence that I could access a wide market and be able to do this full time to provide for my family."
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