Those who ate lunch at Central Market at Central College on Wednesday had locally-grown foods on their plates.

Senior Ashley Oblander helped organize the all-Iowa food day, and tells KNIA/KRLS News she was excited to see fellow students engaging the farmers who produced food on the menu.

“I definitely saw a lot of them walking around and talking to farmers–asking good questions and asking what they brought today,” she says.

Local producer Ward Van Dyke was one of many on hand to discuss his operation with students.

“It’s very engaging, and just to make that personal connection with the students, find out where there from,” he says. “Find out if they grew up in the city, or if they grew up on the farm, if they’ve had a garden or not, or if they’ve ever processed their own sweet corn or tomatoes for salsa–just that interaction, it’s great to see it.”

He says his farm located nine miles north of Pella provides a variety of produce for the college year-round.

All food served at the lunch was produced by farming operations based in Iowa.