2023 Impact Report
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Regional Partnerships
With federal funds, we’ve continued our work with the Indiana Value Chain Network and the launch of Partners in Food and Farming. New in 2023, we joined efforts in the Lake Michigan region to collaborate on food systems efforts. We are the state lead for both the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center and the Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub.
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Food Access
We continued to provide technical assistance to farmers markets and vendors to improve SNAP and WIC redemption rates, and launched a Double Up Pilot in our region. We also launched our FarmHer to Mama Program which serves first time moms who face food insecurity and a collective of female farmers.
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Region Roots
As a mission-driven, non-profit food hub, our Region Roots Local Farm and Food Hub works with partners and funders to drive more food purchases to local farmers and support the viability and wellbeing of those who grow our food. In 2023 we distributed over $400,000 worth of locally grown food within our region, to schools, restaurants, and food access partners.
A Year of Growth
The NWI Food Council grew from an all volunteer organization founded in 2015 to hiring its first staff in 2022. In 2023, our annual budget increased by 45%, our partnerships expanded statewide and beyond, and we launched several new programs and initiatives. We are here to lead and support equitable initiatives and robust partnerships in Northwest Indiana and beyond that disrupt systems of oppression and lead to transformative, just, and reparative food systems.