Five organizations have been awarded a Food Council Development Grant from Indiana Grown.
The Food and Growers Association is one of the award recipients and will receive $14,720 for Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Ripley, Rush, Shelby and Union counties.
A local food initiative, the FGA in southeastern Indiana was created in response to the need of farmers, health professionals and others who see the connections between community health improvement, sustainable agriculture and a feasible local economy in southeastern Indiana.
According to foodandgrowers.com, the organization is an initiative to build a sustainable local market for foods produced in and around the southeast region of Indiana through education and networking.
It promotes a local food system to enable area farmers to market their products to individual consumers and institutional buyers, including schools, hospitals and restaurants.
Pam Rieke, president of the FGA board, said the grant will be used to establish the Nourishing Communities program.
“The goal of this program is to connect farmers with people interested in product production using local items,” Rieke said. “Then finishing the chain by connecting the product producers with consumers.”
Rieke said the grant will fund classes for farmers, potential product producers and consumers.
“In addition, brainstorming sessions will be held and marketing or promotional assistance will be provided to interested parties,” she said. “We don’t have a budget for each specific county, but events and classes will be held in each county.”
The other four organizations to receive funding are Indy Food Council, Johnson County Food Council, Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Inc. and NWI Food Council.
A food council is a community-based coalition consisting of multiple organizations and individuals with the mission of building a stronger food system.
Much of the work done by these organizations is in alignment with Indiana Grown’s mission and benefits farmers and producers statewide.
“The awards announced today will help with the future success of food councils and the work they do for their communities,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said. “The Indiana Grown program has come so far in five years, and its ability and willingness to give back to Hoosier communities speaks volumes.”
In awarding these grants, it is the goal of Indiana Grown to help regional food councils develop their infrastructure so Indiana farmers and producers have a substantial market for their products.
The grants also will allow Indiana processors to utilize more Indiana-grown products and more consumers could learn the importance of buying locally grown products.
State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler said the awardees will demonstrate Indiana Grown’s major goals.
“This funding provided by Indiana Grown has the ability to increase market outlets for farmers and create new opportunities for community members to find locally grown food,” he said.
He is looking forward to working with each of these councils to increase food processing, production and supply in their areas.
Heather Tallman, Indiana Grown’s program director, said the program was made possible due to COVID-19 causing the cancellation of many annual Indiana Grown events, which allowed for the redistribution of the program’s funds.
“Working with communities to increase access to the locally grown food market is one of my passions and something the Indiana Grown program does so well,” she said. “I am excited to support these councils in their regional food systems to increase their outreach and growth for years to come.”
Indiana Grown is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in partnership with the lieutenant governor’s office.
The initiative educates consumers on the importance of buying Indiana Grown products, helps farmers and producers sell more products and supports processors in their effort to process more Indiana Grown products.
Indiana Grown members and partners include farmers, producers, processors and artisans and retailers, grocers, hospitals and restaurants.
Award recipients of the Food Council Development Grant from Indiana Grown
Food and Growers Association − $14,720, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Ripley, Rush, Shelby and Union counties
Indy Food Council − $25,000, Marion County
Johnson County Food Council − $10,342, Johnson County
Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Inc.− $24,938, Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties
NWI Food Council − $25,000, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski and Starke counties
For information, visit indianagrown.org.
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