STATEHOUSE (July 17, 2020) – Indiana Grown celebrates its five-year anniversary this month as it continues to attract more members and expand services, according to State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond).
The program aims to connect more Hoosier consumers with Indiana goods. Barrett said more than 1,600 farms and businesses that grow, raise, produce or process agriculture items in the state participate in Indiana Grown and new members join almost daily.
"Indiana Grown and its branding helps increase and then meet the demand for local, Hoosier-made products," Barrett said. "Consumers can more easily locate goods sourced in Indiana and support the local economy."
According to Barrett, Indiana Grown members and partners include farmers, producers, processors, artisans, retailers, grocers and restaurants. Hoosiers can join for free online at IndianaGrown.org, and have to provide information to ensure their products meet Indiana Grown's guidelines.
Barrett said consumers can also go to IndianaGrown.org for local shopping guides, recipes using Hoosier-sourced goods, locations of nearby farmers markets, and their popular Indiana Grown maps, trails and guides.
"Buying local is a great way to support our neighbors," Barrett said. "You can visit Indiana Grown's website to locate a number of high-quality, hand-made products and goods from right here in our state. Anyone who has yet to become a member should also look into the free program and join today."
Housed within the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, in the last five years Indiana Grown worked with partners to connect schools with local food producers, paved the way for more locally sourced options in hospitals and made local products more readily available to consumers in grocery stores.
"My time with Indiana Grown has been truly rewarding," said Indiana Grown Program Director Heather Tallman. "More important than these high impact projects are the ripple effects each one has created for our members and partners."
For a complete timeline of Indiana Grown's past five years and more information, visit IndianaGrown.org.
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State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) represents House District 56,
which includes portions of Wayne County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
