January Newsletter - Begin Again
Greeting Friends!
This past Friday marked the NWI Food Council’s annual tradition of gathering our staff and executive board members together for a facilitated day of reflection, storytelling, visioning, and growth. The retreat was held at the artfully renovated Dunes Pavilion. Windblown snow and cold crashing waves on an empty, sandy expanse served as our backdrop – both bleak and beautiful but at odds with the lively warmth of passionate individuals gathering together around a table to share their hearts, their experiences, and their dreams. We left with full bellies thanks to an exquisitely crafted menu of locally-sourced food as well as full hearts and minds thanks to the connections made and conversations shared.
As is often the case, January came in like a wild storm, more overwhelming than invigorating. For me, Friday’s retreat brought a new wildness. A good wildness. One that filled my heart and mind to the brim with anticipation for the future. I felt challenged and inspired in new ways, as we conversed on how we as a Council would lean into not only declarations but actions related to equity, to justice, to inclusivity, to race, to privilege, and to reparative and trauma-informed work. Around the table, heads nodded enthusiastically as we agreed to be comfortable with the uncomfortable in the year ahead. Imagining my love for this work as a spark – or better yet, a seedling – I felt it grow and branch out, expanding within me; I expect the same is true for many among our staff and board. I feel I am starting fresh, full of invigorating wildness and energy for this new year and our work ahead.
Did 2023 begin as a whirlwind for you? If so, it's certainly not too late to find your fresh beginning, to capture that invigorating wildness. I hope you seek it out – in the beauty of nature, in stimulating conversations, in a book or podcast that challenges your way of thinking, in a meal shared with friends or family. Fresh beginnings are not always the product of novel experiences; more often than not, they are found in the mundane: a walk, a conversation, a meal. The wildness comes when we consider the mundane from a new perspective – when we do not simply hear, but listen; do not simply look, but see; and do not simply taste, but experience. When we engage in meaningful connections, we find our fresh beginnings. We find wildness and growth.
Here’s to growing local and staying wild. May each of our fresh beginnings challenge us and fill us with invigorating energy for the year ahead.
I will simply sign off with the words of Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
With Gratitude,
Becca Tuholski
Local Food Access Coordinator
NWI Food Council
Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub
Eggs, has anyone been able to escape this topic as of late? Suddenly, that neighbor with those backyard chickens doesn’t seem so extreme anymore. Full disclosure, I am one of those neighbors with the chickens in the backyard. There may also be a stray cat or two I feed as well...Ok, on a more serious note, what is up with the eggs and what is our solution? What about all the other issues we are seeing within our food chain?
If there is one thing the pandemic has taught us, it's that most of us had no idea how much we rely on planes, trains, and automobiles to bring in most everything we use. Refer back to the toilet paper debacle. How do we stop this from happening again? I can hear our collective voice screaming “Stop relying so much on other countries and California for everything!” And to that I say GREAT START! How do we do this? Can this be done? Is there really a way? And to THAT I say, There's a start!
Some quick facts on why the price of eggs has went up
The U.S. Dept of Agriculture has stated that the bird flu affected more than 1 million birds in both commercial and backyard flocks- resulting in a depopulation of around 44 million egg laying hens.
The cost of bird feed and other supplies have went up in price significantly
Soaring gas prices affect transportation
This is where I come in to preach the gospel of supporting our local farmers of course. Did you know that Indiana is one of the top 10 producers in Agriculture in the U.S.? We have some of the best land to farm on right here, often literally in our backyards. So, unless you want to throw your hat in the ring and become a local farmer, (statistics on that for another day) the next best thing to do is buy from them. And, thanks to social media, farmers markets and small or locally owned grocery stores have become easier and easier to find. South Shore Indiana is also a great resource that helps our region connect with local markets and happenings, as is the NWI Food Council.
I would also encourage you to support our local establishments who invest in our community by purchasing local. Change happens when we modify our habits in small and in big ways.
One last statistic for you that I found eye opening- Hoosiers spend roughly 14 billion annually on food expenses and spend an additional 10.5 billion eating at restaurants. Shifting just 10% of the household food expenses to local purchases would translate to a 2.5 billion infusion for Indiana's farm and food economy. (Jodee Smith, Indiana University)
If you have any questions or are interested in local food procurement for your business, please reach out to me anytime.
I have included an egg recipe you can eat for breakfast or any other time of the day! When I make this dish I like to use Howe Farms bacon, Janie's Mills grits and eggs from my backyard. I invite you to try the same! Howe Farms is a great place to visit for local meat pick up in Winfield, Indiana.
Anna Martinez
Farmer to Chef Coordinator
NWI Food Council
Begin Again
Whether your 2023 began with a whirlwind or with a sense of calm, this time of year always seems to be accompanied by new beginnings and fresh starts. Many begin the new year with resolutions, while others may be planning their summer gardens and dreaming of the abundance of summer harvests. What are you dreaming of this snowy January day? What new adventures are you starting or planning in 2023? We can't wait to see what is in store for all of you, our partners and community members, and we hope you'll share your plans with us as we all grow local together!
If you're managing or volunteering at a community garden this year, our friends at the Society of Saint Andrews are happy to announce their 2023 Seed Project is under way! The Seed Project distributes vegetable seeds to organizations or individuals in community gardens, edible churchyards and gardens, and Community Eligibility school garden projects so that healthy fresh produce can be grown and accessed by all. They ask that the produce grown from these seeds not be sold for profit, but rather used by and donated to those in need. Reach out to Laura at in-glean@endhunger.org to be added to the seed contact list!
If your dreams for the year include growing abundance in your home garden, you're probably browsing seed catalogs and racks in your spare time.
Policy Updates
State:
In case you missed it, last summer Indiana legislators passed the Senate Enrolled Act 388, which aims to limit foreign ownership of Hoosier land. Foreign entities will be limited to a few hundred acres of land. Read more in the Indiana Layer.
National:
Congress Passes the Food Donation Improvement Act
Businesses frequently dispose of safe, healthy food out of fear that they will be held liable should a donated product make someone ill. The Food Donation Improvement Act will expand protections for manufacturers, retailers, farmers, and restaurants to encourage donations. It will also make it easier for businesses to donate food directly to those in need.
The USDA announced changes to the Organic rule earlier this month. The changes seek to strengthen oversight and reduce fraud in the Organic program. It also adds additional requirements for organic imports. Jenny Moffitt, Undersecretary of Ag for Marking and Regulatory Programs said, “This rule is the most significant rule and change to the United States Department of Agriculture's organic regulations since the National Organic Program was established in 2001." Read more at the Associated Press, or to understand more about why the changes are needed, check out Civil Eats.
Farm Bill:
For food and agriculture policy lovers, Farm Bill season is around the corner! We’ll be keeping an eye out for opportunities to amplify the voices of the communities we serve.
In the meantime, the USDA currently has an open survey for farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. (Closes March 31) Share your vital feedback with USDA by taking a nationwide survey! The survey is completely anonymous, will take about 10 minutes, and is available in multiple languages.
Also, the Agricultural Census is open! You can find the link to compete the survey (with your mailed survey access code) here (Deadline in Feb)
Make sure your voice is counted in these important surveys. Ag census and other survey data help inform spending allocations in the Farm Bill and also provide data for food systems advocates that help support the important work that farmers do!
Board Members in the Community
As usual, our partners are doing wonderful work! Here are some exciting updates:
Dominique Edwards, who works as an Engagement Specialist for the City of South Bend, is excited to share that the city is hiring a Market Coordinator for the Linden Avenue Markets this year! For more information, please reach out to eee@southbendin.gov.
Virginia Pleasant, our Vice President, has been volunteering with the Chicago Food Policy Action Council's steering committee for their 2023 Food Justice Summit. For more information about the summit, happening in February, check out the link in our events section below!
We are very excited to announce that our team of dedicated staff is growing! The NWI Food Council is currently accepting applications for an Equity and Engagement Coordinator. You can find more information on our website, and the priority application deadline is just around the corner on January 31!
Upcoming Events
Produce Safety Alliance Training
Date: February 10
Location: Aurora, IN
The cost of this training is covered by the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice. Registration closes on February 5, 2023. Participants will receive their training manual day of training.
CFPAC Food Justice Summit
Date: February 8-10
Location: (Hybrid)
The Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC) and its summit planning team celebrate 18 years of leveraging collective power to policy. The Annual Summit have been shared ground for attendees to exchange meaningful knowledge, build deep relationships, and make powerful conversations on how to envision our food future together. This year's theme is "Future Proofing the Food System."
Indiana Small Farms Conference
Date & Time: March 2-3
Location: Danville, IN
Since 2013, the Indiana Small Farm Conference has been the premier annual event for Indiana’s small- and diversified-farm community — helping them experience continuing education and enjoy farmer-to-farmer networking.
Finding Your Leverage Point for Making Change
Date & Time: February 6
Location: Virtual
Given the scale and immediacy of the challenges facing food systems leaders, it is easy to jump to quick fixes or look for silver bullets, but there is no "one size fits all" approach to food systems change. So, the question for each of us is, how do we slow down and decide on the right intervention? Hosted by the Wallace Center's Food Systems Leadership Network, this workshop will teach participants how to identify "leverage points" when working in complex systems.
Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference
Date & Time: Feb 23-25
Location: LaCrosse, WI
The Marbleseed (formerly MOSES) Organic Farming Conference is widely known as the first and largest organic farming conference in the United States.
Indiana Farmers Market Forum
Date & Time: February 7-8
Location: Virtual
Registration open! The Indiana Farmers Market Forum is the annual conference for farmers market managers, farmers, and vendors with panel discussions, state-wide updates, and real-world applications.
Ag Women Engage
Date & Time: Feb 21-23
Location: Terre Haute, IN
You are invited to participate (or share this information) in the Young Ladies in Ag Forum on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 1:00 PM -8:00 PM EST, at the Terre Haute Convention Center, 800 Wabash Ave, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Young ladies in grades 8-12 or college are invited to participate in the conference.
Grant Opportunities
Check out opportunities for funding food systems programs:
Lake County Master Gardeners "Help Others Grow" - The purpose of the Lake County Master Gardeners Association’s (LCMGA) Grant Program is to promote the objectives of the organization by providing grants from $200 to $600 within the borders of Lake County, Indiana. Awards are dependent on funds available and the number of applicants during any given award year. Due April 1st, 2023.
Me and the Bees- Schools will be selected from the cities that you nominate to receive free Bee Education Kits. That means more than 5,000 K-12 students will get a deeper understanding of where our food comes from. They will also receive Me & the Bees lemonade! "Bee the change" and nominate your city through Jan. 31
SNAP-Ed Grants-- The Indiana Department of Health, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity is offering funding to multiple organizations across Indiana that support the goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) program. The goal of SNAP-Ed is to support SNAP-eligible populations in accessing nutritious food and engaging in physically active lifestyles consistent with current guidance. View the application for eligibility and submittal requirements, funding levels, and more! Applications for funding are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10. Contact Julia Brunnemer at jbrunnemer@health.in.gov or at 317-234-9684 for additional information.
IDOE Farm to School Sub-grants-- The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has been awarded a 2022 USDA Farm to School Grant to increase the use of local proteins in Indiana schools and childcare centers. In partnership with the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., subgrants will be awarded for applicants to utilize for procuring, preparing, or storing local protein, as well as, bolstering their farm to school program with field trips or promotional and educational materials. Due February 17.
2023 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant - Application open Jan 3 - Feb 10, 2023. The GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. 160 programs will be awarded in 2023.
