By Andi Anderson
The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network is set to hold a series of public engagement sessions aimed at fortifying the local food system across Northeast Indiana.
These sessions are scheduled to begin on Monday, June 24, with the first meeting in Kendallville, followed by events in Fort Wayne, Columbia City, and Bluffton throughout the week.
The mission of these gatherings is to bolster a vibrant local food marketplace by enhancing the visibility and economic opportunities for regional food producers.
This initiative, supported by a USDA Regional Food System Partnerships grant and the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, seeks to expand sales locally and beyond, thus connecting local land directly to local tables.
Kristi Sturtz of Sturtz Public Management, the consultant for this initiative, will facilitate these sessions.
The meetings are designed to increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the local food system in the area. "Our local food system planning will help to determine how to build capacity and resilience, how to make our system more inclusive, and how to better serve vulnerable and/or marginalized populations," Sturtz stated.
Each meeting targets different counties, ensuring that a wide range of local voices can contribute to the Northeast Indiana Local Food Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan Initiative.
The kickoff event in Kendallville is open to the public and will include light refreshments. Prior registration is appreciated, but not required.
These meetings represent a critical step towards crafting a sustainable future for the food system in Northeast Indiana, emphasizing the need for community involvement and strategic planning to enhance local food production and distribution.
Photo Credit: istock-elenathewise
Categories: Indiana, Sustainable Agriculture