NWI Food Council partners on Local Food Promotion Program grant to increase farmer capacity in Indiana

Indiana University (Jodee Ellett) and Purdue University (Rhonda Phillips), the NWI Food Council, Wallace Center, City of Bloomington, Fischer Farms Natural Foods, Food & Growers Association have received a $515,448 grant by the USDA Local Food Promotion Program. The mission is to improve local food supply chains throughout Indiana via value-chain coordinators, one-on-one wholesale training for farmers, establish aggregators and assist with FSMA compliance.

The grantees will work with partners to connect the local and regional wholesale market channels, to address the 1) Lack of human capital with the skills and knowledge to connect the supply chain; 2) Lack of knowledge for farmers entering wholesale markets including food safety; and 3) Few known locations where farmers and food businesses can process foods for value added ventures.

More information on program details coming soon.