Iowa Section IFT

Iowa IFT February Meeting – February 19th, 2026

Bix & Co.

111 5th Street

West Des Moines, Iowa 50265

Timeline:

3:00 pm: BLK & Bold Company Presentation and Tour

4:30 pm: Social Hour and Dinner at Bix & Co.

7:00 pm: Iowa Section IFT Business Meeting

About:

BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages was founded in 2018 on a simple but radical idea: your daily cup of coffee could fuel something bigger than a morning routine. It could put books in classrooms, mentors in schools, computers in the hands of kids without internet at home, and seedlings in community gardens that feed entire neighborhoods. Today, every purchase fuels a promise made at the start: 5% of gross profits support nonprofits across the country.

Co-founders, Pernell and Rod, oversee every step in the production process, starting with trusted importers, aligning on target taste profiles, and leading rigorous cuppings to select and refine each blend. Typical R&D batches run just 1–5 lbs, with production batches closer to 125 lbs: small enough to stay nimble, large enough to supply national demand. Development times and Agtron color readings are logged, with every batch cupped 24 hours later before release. This small-batch approach sets BLK & Bold apart from larger brands that often rely on blending to mask inconsistencies. By micro-roasting and cupping daily, the team dials in each coffee’s sweet spot and keeps every lot traceable.

Website: https://blkandbold.org/

Bix & Co.is a locally owned sports bar, situated in historic Valley Junction. Bix & Co. strives to create an unparalleled dining experience in a laid-back, sports bar atmosphere. Whenever possible, their ingredients are sourced from local suppliers, ensuring that their menu offerings are fresh and flavorful. Their pizza is made with a one-of-a-kind dough, made fresh daily. They hand-portion and roll all of their crusts. Expect a deliciously thin, cracker-like crust, and unbelievable Wisconsin cheese blend, and toppings bursting with flavor.Menu:

https://www.bixandco-wdm.com/menus/

If you have any dietary restrictions please let us know!

Register by February 17th

$30 for industry professionals

$15 for students

Registration includes tour, meeting, and dinner costs. Any alcoholic beverages at social hour and dinner must be purchased by individuals.

Past Meetings

Iowa IFT November Meeting – November 20th, 2025

Horticulture Research Farm

Horticultural field research has been active at Iowa State since the beginning of the institution. The work was moved to the current site in 1967 from the former location at Sheldon and Knapp streets in Ames. The station has extensive horticultural plantings and projects, including apple orchards, vineyards, pest control in muskmelons, demonstration home gardens, vegetables, fruit, hops yards, turfgrass, and ornamentals. The farm has active research related to turtles, honeybees, wasps, and tree swallows. Scientists from horticulture, forestry, botany, ecology, plant pathology, entomology, and natural resources are active at the station. The station has a headquarters building with offices, laboratory, meeting/classroom, cold storage, and an apple sorting room. Other improvements include a shop, pesticide building, equipment storage, turf research building, a 15-acre lake, an extensive irrigation system, and six 0.2-acre ponds.

Schonert’s Corporate Catering

Adam Schonert started his business when he was a Junior in high school, selling homemade pies and cheesecakes for the holidays as a way to save money for college. In the fall of 2021, Adam started his concurrent MBA in the Ivy College of Business. At the same time, he pivoted his business from holiday sales to offering premium and handcrafted breakfast catering. In the following years, Adam would graduate from Iowa State University with his B.S. in Food Science and a Master of Business Administration in May 2023. He has continued to grow his business, expanding to encompass everything from baked goods to lunch menus, hot dinners, hors d’oeuvres, and even tailgating options, all with the goal of eliminating stress in catering through reliable, relational, and intentional service.

Iowa IFT September Meeting – September 25th, 2025

Tour Location: Grainwell Puffed Grains – Dyersville, IA

2360 Industrial Parkway SW

Dyersville IA 52040

*Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes for the tour*

Dinner/Social Hour Location: 7 Hills West – Dyersville, IA

703 13th Ave SE

Dyersville IA 52040

April 17th virtual lunchtime POP Quiz! meeting with guest, Jenna Ramaekers from Farmers Best.

12:00 PM Presentation & Q&A by Jenna Ramaekers from Farmers Best Popcorn in Worthington, Iowa. Farmers Best is available at most Hy-Vee and Fareways. You could purchase some and pop it for your virtual lunch meeting. Nothing draws an office crowd like the aroma of popcorn.

12:40 PM Popcorn Pop Quiz! Online popcorn trivia Kahoot with a popcorn-themed prize for the winner!

12:55 PM Iowa Section IFT Announcements

Martin Bros. Distributing Tour February 27th

We will tour Martin Bros. Distribution Company in Cedar Falls with a social hour, dinner and business meeting to cap off the event. “Martin Bros is a leading independent, full-line food service wholesale supplier serving restaurants schools, senior living communities and more throughout the Midwest with Foodservice with a Difference. “

3PM Tour of Martin Bros. Distribution Company

406 Viking Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

4:45PM Social Hour, Dinner and Business Meeting

Mulligan’s Brick Oven Grill and Pub 205 E 18th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Student Night November 14th

Tours of the new Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex and the Student Innovation Center followed by a social hour, dinner by Cornbred catering and student night business meeting.

3PM Tour of Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex

4PM ISU Student Innovation Center Tour

5:30 Social Hour, Dinner and Student Night Meeting to follow