I trust this letter finds you well and filled with the warmth of the season. It is with mixed emotions that I share a significant transition within our organization. After four and a half years of serving as the Executive Director, the time has come for me to pass the torch to a new leader who embodies the passion and dedication required to carry forward our important mission.

As I reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve undertaken together, I am profoundly grateful for the incredible opportunity to work together to strengthen our local food system and make a positive impact on our communities. I am delighted to announce that Andrea Evelsizer will be stepping into the role of Executive Director.

Andrea brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for sustainable agriculture and community development, bringing more than ten years of experience working with Healthy Harvest, and a variety of other local food businesses, across the food system. I am confident that under her leadership, our organization will continue to thrive and achieve new heights in promoting a resilient and vibrant local food system.

Reflecting on the past year, we have achieved significant milestones that would not have been possible without the support of generous individuals like you. Here are just a few highlights of our accomplishments:

  • Added numerous new seasonal recipes to our website (bringing the total close to 300), showcased local food by offering samples at 69 events and farmers markets in 13 different communities, and hosted 19 cooking classes that highlighted seasonal products from North Iowa.
  • Strengthened relationships through the NI Local Food Connection Program by hosting a Natural Light Product Photography workshop for our farmers and successfully hosted our 2023 Field Day Series featuring 4 farm businesses.
  • Supported the hosting of 3 Farm to Fork Dinners, as well as hosted our annual event, Farm Fresh Food Fest, in April. We are also excited by the recent up-tick in Farm to Fork events being hosts by our partners!
  • Promoted our Grow.Eat.Play North Iowa campaign through monthly emails, seasonal social media posts, and press releases, encouraging community members to engage in various local food activities.
  • Increased technical support to regional schools for local food procurement and leveraging grant funding. Facilitated taste testing of local food items and provided resources for “Get to Know Your Farmer” posters and outreach.
  • Facilitated quarterly meetings of the NI Local Food Coalition, highlighting projects such as CAL Elementary School’s Farm to School program, Central Garden’s programing in Clear Lake, North Iowa Mutual Aid’s Community Fridge efforts, local Farmers Market efforts, including additional updates from our partners across North Iowa.
  • Continued to build relationships and share resources with local farmers markets by hosting our Farmers Market Workshop in March, support for local Power of Produce kids’ programming, as well as navigating the changes in the statewide Double Up Food Bucks program to support increased access to healthy, local foods for all families.
  • Bringing statewide efforts to North Iowa related to the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools (LSA) programs and partnerships with Iowa’s Food Hub network, which has brought thousands of dollars to local producers, and increased access to local food for schools and those in need in our communities.

We’ve also produced our annual Local Food Guide, offered technical support and connection to various businesses, and have been an active partner at the state-level in discussions around developing an Iowa local food plan.

Fueled by the ever-increasing demand for locally grown and raised in North Iowa, Healthy Harvest continues to develop and respond to the opportunities we see in local food system development in our communities. It’s truly thanks to support of donors and local food customers such as yourself that we are able to cultivate our work, and attempt to keep up with the ever-changing food purchasing decisions.

Looking forward into 2024, we have some exciting plans in the works including:

  • Digging into a couple projects that aim to support local producers and entrepreneurs exploring value-added production opportunities, both through shared-use equipment and spaces, as well as educational opportunities for marketing, packaging and labeling, navigating food safety requirements and more;
  • Facilitating increased Farm to School development by continuing to bring together local school districts to learn and support one another, bringing local products into the cafeterias and educational opportunities into classrooms;
  • Continuing to focus on consumer education through recipe demonstrations and cooking classes;
  • Hosting the Local food Connection program’s annual Field Day Series, as well as off-season workshops, and networking opportunities for a local food and farm for businesses;
  • Brainstorming with partners local and statewide for ways to address recognized needs around key topics such as land access, processing, distribution, food waste & recovery, and new farmer recruitment and retention;
  • Collaborating with communities to host agritourism events, building relationships with new and existing businesses, and countless other activities both planned and yet to come onto the radar!

While I am stepping down from my role, I am filled with pride and optimism for the future of Healthy Harvest. With your continued support, I have no doubt that Andrea will lead our organization to even greater heights.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I invite you to renew your commitment to Healthy Harvest by making a tax-deductible donation today. Your support is instrumental in advancing our mission and creating lasting positive change in our community.

Thank you once again for your dedication to Healthy Harvest of North Iowa. Together, we can continue to build a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

With gratitude,

Marie Boyd, Outgoing Executive Director

Andrea Evelsizer, Incoming Executive Director