Finding Food and Building A More Equitable Food System - For Eaters


Craving some fresh fruit, local greens, or a nice juicy steak? It’s been a wild few months - and through it all, young farmers in Indiana have been hard at work growing food for you. If you’re wondering how to find local food amid a pandemic and support a more equitable food system, here are a few tips from sustainable farmers in Indiana: ​
PictureCollecting eggs at Bent Arrow Acres. Photo by Cassie Dunmyer Photography.
Ways to Buy Local Amid a Pandemic:
  1. The Farmers. Find farmers in your neighborhood on LocalHarvest.org. It’s a free way for farmers to share what products they grow. You can just search by your zip code to find nearby farms, CSAs, restaurants that serve local food, and farm stands. You can read a little about what food the farmers raise and their growing practices, and find contact info. Then, check out the farmers' website or social media to see what food they have available and how they're asking customers to order. Depending on the farm, you might be able to arrange for an on-farm pickup or meet them at the farmer's market for a quick handoff. Many farmers have set up online stores. You can order what you need and pay online. Then, pickup might be at the farmer's market, a local business, or on the farm. It's an ideal way to get what you need from farmers you trust. Farmers are adapting quickly to serve you!
  2. Farmers Markets. Lots of farmers’ markets have set up online marketplaces. It’s a streamlined way to get local food for your table. You can place orders from all of your favorite vendors each week. Check with your local farmer’s market to see how to place your orders. Need to find nearby farmer's markets? Check out Indiana Grown's map of farmers markets statewide. It's a living map, meaning that it's always improving, and some markets' info could be out of touch as they've added websites and such. Be patient, but check out this useful resource!
  3. On-Farm Stores (with a twist). On-farm stores are offering more food every week as more food comes into season. Plus, many farmers are getting creative. They are carrying neighboring farmer’s products like local meat and eggs, honey, vegetables, and more. And many have added online ordering options, so that your pickup is quick and easy.
  4. Online Markets. You can also check out online services like Market Wagon or Hoosier Harvest Market. They’re a big help for farmers and consumers. Farmers can list their products, from pasture-raised meat to baked goods and beyond. Customers like you can order whatever you need for your table. It’s quick and easy.
  5. CSA's. If you’re looking to get a taste of what’s in season, or if you want to build a relationship to a farm, CSA’s are a good option for your family. CSA stands for community supported agriculture, and it’s kind of like a buying club. Members pay upfront, and get a share of the harvest. CSA shares can include produce, meat, eggs, bread, cheese, or really anything farmers in Indiana raise. Most CSAs have an online sign up option. Pickup might be at the farm, a farmer’s market, or at a community space. Find a CSA near you at localharvest.org, or by talking to farmers near you.
  6. Independent Groceries. You can also find local food at Independent grocery stories these days. Farmers sell their vegetables, meat, mushrooms, honey, flowers and more this way. Ask your nearest food co-op or natural food store what local products they have available for curbside pickup or in the store.

And here's another thing that you can do today, to help build a more equitable food system: start listening to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers in Indiana.

There are about 33,000 black farmers in the US, including many in Indiana. But they face an uphill battle. Systemic racism makes it harder for farmers of color to own land, get loans, and start businesses. If you want to encourage a more diverse community of farmers, join us and start by listening to BIPOC farmers in Indiana. You might start with these incredible farmers and farming organizations. There are many others. If you're a BIPOC farmer who would like to be added to this list, let us know. We'd love to listen, and see what you're doing on your farm.


These are just a few of the Black farmers growing good food in Indiana. Find their food and follow them online. 

Selling Food and Building A More Equitable Food System - For Farmers

Small farmers are moving loads of product via online sales. If you want to hear what other farmers are doing, what’s working, and what you need to consider to sell online amid a pandemic, we're here for you.

You can’t replace a farmer potluck - but we can still gather to swap ideas. Check out one of our 8 farmer-to-farmer webinars from May and June. We've posted the recordings to our new YouTube channel. They were sponsored by SARE, and featured farmers from across Indiana.
  • Each hour-long session featured a different farmer and the online platforms, tools, and strategies she’s using to sell food amid a pandemic. She shared what's working (and what hurdles she’s been encountering). 
  • And of course there was time for conversation! Farmers and food allies from across the state chimed in. We hope watching the videos of the farmers' sessions helps you consider how these platforms and strategies are might work on your farm, learn best practices, and find a few new ideas.

And if you're thinking about how you, as a farmer, can contribute to a more equitable food system, we're with you. We've gathered a few resources to get you started - click here for a few simple ways you can help build a diverse food system, and see what the Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition is working on.
Proudly powered by Weebly