Manheim Solutions, Inc. / Ken Meter, Crossroads Resource Center Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Summary of Phase 1 Report “Toward A Strategic Plan” For the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership

Snapshot: Indiana is the 10 th largest farm state. Yet NE Indiana sells $1.4 billion dollars in food products each year, largely exported. $1.9 billion of food is imported into the region, demonstrating an imbalance with exported foods. If each resident purchased $5 of food each week from farmers in the region, this would generate $198 million of new farm income.

Objective of the Northeast Indiana Food Network Study is to Assist in: Developing a model for a viable, sustainable local food network that facilitates local food production and consumption. Building collaborative and connective tissue among already emerging regional food business clusters. Using various means which may include appropriate bricks and mortar facilities.

Our Findings: Several local food clusters are thriving in the region that both export and provide local food to local consumers. Through resourcefulness, business acumen and entrepreneurship, these food clusters have developed strong networks both within and outside the region. These food clusters have demonstrated that the “bones” of a local food network are present and present a platform on which to build infrastructure. That critical steps are necessary to create a robust local food economy.

Questions that Remain: What is local food and what infrastructure is needed to build a local food network? What steps can be taken to build a local food network? Is there interest on the part of local consumers in local food?

Numerous Studies have been conducted: Vision 2020 Initiative (2006) Building a Food Cluster: Asset Mapping (2009) Building A Food Cluster (2009) Food Industry Cluster Implementation Report (2011) Fort Wayne Public Market Feasibility Study (2011) Northeast Indiana Food Industry Cluster Strategic Initiatives (2012)

More Studies… Food Processing Fact Sheet (2012) Hoosier Farmer? Emergent Food Systems in Indiana (Ken Meter, CRC, Indiana Department of Health 2012) Indiana Farms, Indiana Foods, Indiana Success: Central Indiana Food Hub Feasibility Study (2012) Food Hubs Feasibility Study (2015) Heartland Communities, Inc. — “Plowshares Project” (2015)

What These Studies Tell Us and Are Confirmed and Detailed by the Phase Report: Northeast Indiana is home to a vibrant cluster of food industries. There is no coordinating body to harmonize local food trade. A local food network supporting local consumption co- exists with a robust export strategy, but requires a supportive infrastructure to thrive.

Why Has Nothing Been Done? Specific, practical steps have not been identified to move the project forward. Asset mapping and resulting identification of informal networks as accomplished in the Phase I Report was not done. Farmers and entrepreneurs have not been consulted and resulting networks have not been identified.

Successful Farming Operations That Have Built Networks “Several enterprising farm operations … build greater market power and stronger incomes from farming than they could from commodity production” by forming their own networks. Founded on innovative production practices. Some profiles: Seven Sons Farm Hawkins Family Farm Gunthorp Farm

More Successful Farming Networks Joseph Decuis Farm and Restaurant Trellis Growing Systems WOLF Cooperative Whitley County Farmers’ Market Others: Clear Spring Produce Auction, Miller’s Poultry, Maple Leaf Farms, Strauss Veal Feeds, Amish food businesses (we realize that with more time, we could identify others)

Interconnections Already Formed This map shows the reach of overlapping local food networks involving several farms: Joseph Decuis Farm (& Restaurant), Seven Sons Farm, Hawkins Family Farm, & Gunthorp Farm. See individual farms for more detail. Other networks also have formed – how do we better coordinate these and make sure they serve local residents?

Questions to be Considered in Phase II: Answer the questions from slide five. How do we best strengthen the emerging local food networks in Northeast Indiana as an economic development strategy? How do current, planned or additional facilities fit into and help strengthen the local food network? Which local consumers will be served by a local food network?

More Questions to be Considered in Phase II: Can a central coordinating body be identified? Can manageable steps be identified that “move the needle” toward a trajectory of success? What does success look like?

MAKE IT HAPPEN! Crossroads Resource Center Contact: