STATEHOUSE (July 8, 2020) – Indiana Grown celebrates its five-year anniversary this month as it continues to attract more members and expand services, according to State Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne).
The program is available thanks to a 2014 law authored by Lehman and aims to connect more Hoosier consumers with Indiana goods. Lehman 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 is thriving, and thousands of Hoosiers are benefiting from the marketing tools, branding and resources offered through the program," Lehman said. "Those in our community who have yet to become a member should consider it, and of course consumers can support their neighbors by buying local and keeping an eye out for the Indiana Grown label or products while shopping."
According to Lehman, 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.
Lehman 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.
"Now is a critical time to support local businesses," Lehman said. "Indiana Grown's website is a great place to connect with fellow Hoosiers selling a variety of goods, from honey to trees and fudge."
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. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) represents House District 79,
which includes all of Adams County and portions of Allen and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
