Indiana Grown seeks to expand local food access in schools

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 31, 2018) — The state’s Indiana Grown program is teaming up with three organizations to provide Indiana school corporations greater access to local foods.

As part of a Farm to School grant, Indiana Grown is putting together a local school food resource guide and is looking for farmers, producers and businesses that are interested in selling their products. Some examples of these products include fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and drinks, such as milk or juice. 

“This partnership is all about equipping our school corporations with the tools they need to make better informed decisions when it comes to purchasing local foods,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “In order to do that, however, we need to know what local products are available in Indiana and who is interested in providing them.”

Under the guidance of the Indiana State Department of Health, the information gathered will be collated by Purdue Extension and developed into the Indiana Grown for Schools Resource Guide. Once the guide is complete, it will be distributed to all Indiana public school corporations by the Indiana Department of Education.

School food service directors can then use the guide to make more informed local purchasing decisions.

“Our mission is to connect Indiana producers with greater opportunities to market and sell their products,” said Heather Tallman, Indiana Grown Member Development Program Manager. “Through Indiana Grown for Schools, we’re making that connection and educating food service buyers on the local options available to them.”

Farmers, producers and businesses interested in selling their products must be located in Indiana and complete an online survey by 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Feb. 1, 2019. Participation in the survey is not a guarantee of sales.

Click here or visit www.IndianaGrown.org for more information about the Indiana Grown for Schools initiative.