Join Us for Public Engagement Sessions

The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network is excited to announce that we are kicking off the  Northeast Indiana Local Food Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan Initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to increase the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the local food system in Northeast Indiana.

This planning process for our local food system will also help determine how to build capacity and resilience, increase inclusivity, and better serve vulnerable and/or marginalized populations in our region.

If you are an elected official, local government professional, community or economic developer, foundation leader, nonprofit director, farmer, rancher, retail business owner, farmer’s market manager, chef, or general consumer, we are interested in hearing from you!

You’re Invited to Participate! We want to hear from you.

Please mark your calendar to attend in one of the Four Public Engagement Sessions we are holding across the region.

  • Monday, June 24th - 1:30 - 3:30 pm in Kendallville
    Community Learning Center
    401 Diamond Street, Kendallville, IN 46755
    Focus on DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble & Steuben Counties
    Panelists:
    Grace Caswell - Visit Noble County,
    Greg Gunthorp - Gunthorp Farms,
    Denise Hoff - Retired Owner of the Fresh Food Hub,
    Christina Blaskie - Parkview LaGrange

  • Tuesday, June 25th - 1:30 - 3:30 pm in Fort Wayne
    Walb Union Classic Ballroom at Purdue Fort Wayne
    Union Circle Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46815
    Adjacent Free Parking in P2 Parking Garage
    Focus on Allen County
    Panelists: 
    Aaron Butts - Chef at Bistro Nota,
    Ty Simmons - Human Agricultural Cooperative,
    Dr. Matt Sprunger - Neighborhood Health,
    Jain Young - Plowshares Food Hub/Rose Ave. Farm

  • Wednesday, June 26th - 1:30 - 3:30 pm in Columbia City
    Peabody Public Library
    1160 E, State Route 205, Columbia City, IN 46725
    Focus on Kosciusko, Wabash & Whitley Counties
    Panelists:
    Jennifer Esterline - Whitley Co. Chamber/E Brewing Co.,
    Dennis Wood - Wood Farms, Wood Farms Premium Meats
    Jeff & Zach Hawkins - Hawkins Family Farm,
    Keri Salb-Mertz - Purdue Extension

  • Thursday, June 27th - 1:30 - 3:30 pm in Bluffton
    Wells County Commerce & Visitors Bureau
    211 Water Street, Bluffton, IN 46714
    Focus on Adams, Huntington & Wells Counties
    Panelists:
    Amber Broxon & Justin Miller - BroxonBerry,
    Amy Burch - Purdue Extension, 
    Caleb Fiechter - The River Farm

Each of these Public Engagement Sessions will include: A What is a Local Food System? presentation, A Northeast Indiana Local Food System Panel Presentation, and Facilitated Tabletop Discussions. Plenty of free parking is available at each location. Light refreshments will be served.

This initiative is being funded through the generous support of the USDA Regional Food System Partnerships grant and the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.  Kristi Sturtz, ALM, AICP with Sturtz Public Management Group and Kate Vellucci, ALM will facilitate this planning process.  

The Engagement Session at Purdue Fort Wayne is sponsored by the Well-being and Recreation Department of Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Please contact Janet Katz at Janet@NEIfood.org or (260)241-2260 with any questions regarding the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Public Engagement Sessions.

Please register using this form to let us know you plan to attend. Registration is appreciated, but not required.

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