(Atlantic, IA) – Three counties in Iowa are part of a new statewide initiative to advance value-added fruit and vegetable processing. The initiative is being lead by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, utilizing a new version of a mobile fruit and vegetable processing cart that was first developed in 2021. The latest version, the “Crop Cart,” is available in Cass, Washington and Winneshiek Counties.
Lisa Bates, Assistant Director of ISU Extension and Outreach Community Economic Development, says the initiative aims to expand small-scale, value opportunities in the pilot program counties.
Bates says their research found there was a gap in how local food businesses could add value to fresh fruits and vegetables, to help improve profitability and shelf-life, with the idea being to get those products out to people across the State. She says their goal is essentially two-fold:
The Crop Carts are designed to get to local people and businesses through the Extension Offices. Cass County was chosen from among a dozen who responded to an RFP (Request For Proposal) from ISU Extension, on how the chosen counties would utilize the Crop Cart. Bates said the Cass County’s proposal made the short-list of Counties chosen,
Bates said the program is a more readily available option for producers to get their products out there to the public, without a substantial initial investment outlay.
Intended audiences for the Crop Cart are: aspiring food entrepreneurs; Local farmers and producers; Community Organizations, event coordinators and others. The Crop Cart is not fully enclosed. It allows fresh fruits and vegetables to be transported in a van or truck to venues such as a farmer’s market to offer taste-testing, for example.
Bates said a Crop Cart is expected to be available during the Iowa State Fair. Individuals or organizations may submit rental requests through their respective county extension office. For more information, contact your local county ISU Extension and Outreach Office, or go to: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/crop-cart
