We just received funding for promotion of this last year. To qualify, the food or ag product must be 100 percent raised or grown in Iowa, or 50 percent or more manufactured, or value added, in Iowa, says Kotval. We are working with producers, farmers, local growers and also working with food manufacturers in the state. There are different levels of membership fees. Some producers join under an organization, such as the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers or the Iowa Honey Producers Association.
People join for a number of reasons.
They get permission to use the trademark if they're a member. We also provide product lists to restaurants and grocery stores. The Iowa Grocery Industry Association, the Iowa Hospitality Association, and the Iowa Department of Tourism are partners with A Taste of Iowa. In addition to raising consumer awareness, we try to drive some of that demand. For example, we have a restaurant menu-mention programs.