An announcement from the Oneota Co-op Board of Directors
Did you know that more than a quarter of what you spend at the Oneota Community Food Co-op goes to local producers? Every grocery trip you make helps sustain farmers, food makers, and neighbors right here and in our broader community.
Supporting our local food system isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we invest in together. One way we do that is through the Grow the Good Grant Program.
Launched in 2024, this program is a collaboration between the Oneota Co-op Board, Iowa Food Hub, and local sponsors. It’s designed to turn our shared values into real, tangible support for the people growing and producing our food.
Through this program, we bring to life three of our organizational Ends:
#2. We support building thriving local food systems and encourage the expansion of locally-grown food sources.
#4. Our organization promotes and exemplifies cooperative principles of business.
#7. Our members are diverse and engaged, working together and sharing time, energy, and resources to build a resilient and thriving local community.
The following have been chosen to receive 2026 Grow the Good Grant funding. Congratulations to these small businesses:
Graham + Leaven, Decorah 
$4,000
Graham + Leaven is a micro artisan bakery that specializes in wholesome ingredient sweets and drinks, including a spiced chicory drink. Beginning this year, they are expanding their chicory to small grocers and mercantile throughout Northeast Iowa. Grant funds will be used to purchase the tumbler machine to produce the spiced chicory and the packaging for initial retail presence by fall of 2026.
Yellow Table Farm LLC, Tripoli
$4,000
Yellow Table is a no-till farm raising vegetables, chestnuts, berries, and livestock. Grant funds will be used towards building a wash/pack/storage facility to house washing and packing equipment, as well as provide a space to cure and hold storage crops through the winter. This investment will result in additional CSA offerings and food donations to Tri-County Head Start, helping underserved individuals.
Humble Hands Harvest LLC, Decorah
$2,500
Humble Hands Harvest is a certified organic, no-till, worker-owned cooperative vegetable farm. A portion of vegetables grown are already donated to local food pantries. This project will expand this offering to use seconds-quality root vegetables and the fruit of seed crops after the seeds have been extracted to create prepared soups. Grant proceeds will be used toward licensing, research and other setup costs to bring prepared soups to market.
Blue Fruit Farm Company, Winona, Minn.
$2,000
Blue Fruit Farm is a certified organic farm growing primarily honeyberries, blueberries, and aronia berries. Grant funds will be used to replace underpowered and overworked equipment with a new 48” deck mower. Mowing is a primary method for managing weeds and grass, assisting with pest and disease management, and improving safety on the farm.
We thank the following sponsors who have made this cycle of the Grow the Good Grant program possible: Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Decorah Farmers Market, Decorah Friends, Humble Hands Harvest, Oneota Community Food Cooperative, Trial Lawyers for Justice, Toppling Goliath, and one anonymous contribution.
Further Details about the Grow the Good Grant Program
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include farms, food businesses, and individuals who grow, raise, process, or distribute food within a 50 mile radius (as the “crow flies”) of Decorah—our hyper-local foodshed.
What Types of Projects Are Funded?
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 support projects that directly benefit our local food system. This might look like expanding a market, improving food processing capacity, or finding new ways to get local food onto more tables in our community.
How Are Grant Decisions Made?
Applications are reviewed by an independent committee made up of community members with experience in agriculture, sustainability, and grantmaking. This ensures a fair, thoughtful process grounded in local knowledge and free from conflicts of interest.
What Are We Hoping to Grow?
At its heart, this program is about strengthening the connection between you—the member—and the people who produce your food. Funded projects will help:
- Increase access to local, community-based food
- Support farms and food businesses in growing, processing, and distributing more local products
- Build consistency and resilience in local food offerings
- Move our community toward a more equitable and inclusive food system
Every time you shop at Oneota Co-op or Iowa Food Hub, you’re already part of this work. The Grow the Good Grant Program simply takes it a step further. Together, we’re not just buying food—we’re growing something good. Those interested in learning more about the Grow the Good Grant are invited to contact board members Amy Grinna, oneotagrinna@gmail.com, or Steph Hughes, oneotahughes@gmail.com.