STATEHOUSE (July 20, 2020) – Indiana Grown celebrates its five-year anniversary this month as it continues to attract more members and expand services, according to State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty).
The program aims to connect more Hoosier consumers with Indiana goods. Bartels 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 simply helps connect local producers with consumers," Bartels said. "It is easy to become a member, and as one, I have found it to be a great networking opportunity."
According to Bartels, 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.
Bartels 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.
"With the help of Indiana Grown, Hoosiers can make it a habit of buying locally produced foods," Bartels said. "Members benefit by partnering with larger stores, putting their goods on more shelves and getting these products in front of more consumers."
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. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74,
which includes portions of Spencer, Dubois, Perry, Crawford and Orange counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
