October 23, 2024

Indiana Grown celebrates five-year anniversary

By Erica Quinlan

A table full of Indiana Grown products shows the variety of goods created in the state. (ISDA photo)

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Grown program celebrated its five-year anniversary at the Statehouse with program members, partners and legislators.

The Indiana Grown team highlighted their major accomplishments and outlined key priorities for the year ahead.

“Having the Indiana Grown logo on a member’s product or storefront door seems to be a badge of honor,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “As I travel across our state, some of my favorite visits are to our Indiana Grown partners.

“They have such a passion for their work that is visible the moment you step in the door or onto the farm. Today’s event was an incredible opportunity to showcase their work and celebrate where they are headed.”

Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, also applauded the program.

“The Indiana Grown program is expanding daily, and I commend the work done by our staff over these last five years to get this program to where it is today,” Kettler said.

Making Progress

The program has added hundreds of farmers, growers, makers and producers to its member directory and has successfully partnered with retail stores like Kroger, Needlers and Target to promote local foods.

In July 2017, Indiana Grown officials hosted the first annual Monumental Marketplace, a one-of-a-kind market held on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

Indiana Grown established Indiana Grown for Schools in conjunction with the Indiana State Department of Health and Purdue Extension.

The program also received a grant to study the economic impact of buying local foods or products and to determine consumer and producer awareness.

This year, Indiana Grown will open the nation’s first agriculture/airport partnership at the Indianapolis International Airport farmers market.

“The hard work from our team and the resulting partnerships we have made over the years have propelled this program forward faster than we could have imagined,” said Heather Tallman, director of Indiana Grown.

“We look forward to what 2020 brings to the table for Indiana Grown and our members.”

Learn more at www.indianagrown.org.