The popularity of local foods has increased significantly in the last few decades, pushed along in recent years by a heightened interest of consumers in buying local and sustainably-grown foods. Municipalities are increasingly recognizing the multiple benefits of urban agriculture. As the urban agriculture movement has advanced, many have recognized the role that local government policies and regulations play in either stifling or facilitating the production, processing and distribution of local foods.

This guidebook focuses on the intersection of local foods and municipal zoning. It is written to provide Iowa city officials information and sample code language for reducing the barriers to, and/or encouraging some of the most common production and sales activities associated with urban agriculture.