Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Strategic Plan 2025-2027
Our Vision
We envision a thriving Northeast Indiana food system where fresh, local food is at the heart of the community, readily obtainable by all, and where farmers are empowered by a strong regional food economy. Through innovation and collaboration, we strive for a resilient food system that regenerates the land, fosters connection, and ensures a healthier future for generations to come.
Our Mission
We collaborate with partners across Northeast Indiana and beyond to cultivate a resilient local food system that connects our communities, reduces food insecurity, creates prosperity for our farms, and nourishes all our families.
Our Values
Collaboration: Partnering with others to create meaningful and lasting impact
Compassion: Supporting those in need with care and a commitment to positive change
Innovation: Developing new ideas and solutions that drive sustainable progress
Integrity: Upholding honesty, fairness, and transparency in all actions
Prosperity: Fostering thriving communities through economic and social well-being
Regeneration: Restoring and nurturing systems for long-term growth and renewal
Resilience: Strengthening the ability to adapt and overcome challenges
Self-sufficiency: Empowering individuals and communities to meet their own needs sustainably
LaGrange LaGrange
This project was partially supported by a grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.
Prepared by Sturtz Public Management Group, LLC
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SIX STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
CAPACITY BUILDING
Goal: To develop strong and resilient capacity of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network as an organization to effectively lead and implement action plan strategies.
Objectives:
a. To conduct board development to strengthen board knowledge and engagement;
b. To develop effective board working committees to perform board responsibilities and to support and advise staff with programs and events;
c. To assure sufficient staff capacity to accomplish the organization’s goals and objectives;
d. To establish an effective regional network of local food ambassadors to share information and facilitate communication across the eleven county region.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
Goal: To develop financial stability of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network through the ongoing development of diverse revenue streams.
Objectives:
a. To increase organizational fundraising and grant writing skills;
b. To expand individual donation support for the organization to meet fundraising targets established by the Finance Committee;
c. To expand and diversify grant support for the organization;
d. To offer fee-based contractual services in alignment with the mission;
e. To seek other funding streams not previously pursued to support the organization.
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LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Goal: To increase awareness, engagement, development, capacity, and resilience of the local food system throughout Northeast Indiana.
Objectives:
a. To increase awareness, understanding and community engagement of the local food system across Northeast Indiana;
b. To host networking events and informal regional and county focused gatherings to build relationships across the local food system;
c. To be a local food system knowledge resource;
d. To promote farms, businesses and organizations that grow, produce, sell, buy, distribute, serve and support locally produced food and beverages in Northeast Indiana;
e. To use technology to increase efficiency of programs and activities;
f. To leverage the Needs Assessment document as a way to maintain and expand stakeholder connections and local food system investment.
Orchard Hill Farms
BroxonBerry
The River Farm
SIX STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
HEALTHY AND OBTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD
Goal: To increase the amount of healthy, nutritious, local food that is readily obtainable by low-income, low-access families in Northeast Indiana.
Objectives:
a. To manage the Nutrition Incentive program, Double Up Indiana, in Allen County;
b. To coordinate and expand Double Up Indiana across Northeast Indiana;
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c. To collaborate with regional partners to organize Harvest of the Month Taste Tests in PreK-12 schools across Northeast Indiana. 4
c. To explore and consider opportunities for additional Food is Medicine initiatives in coordination with regional stakeholders;
d. To support the acceptance of supplemental food assistance at local farmers markets and outlets that supply locally produced food;
e. To support efforts to increase the amount and selection of locally produced food offered at area food banks;
f. To develop new programs that increase healthy local food consumption for at-risk populations.
FOOD HUB DEVELOPMENT
Goal: To collaborate with Northeast Indiana local food sellers and buyers to plan the development of a regional food hub to increase collaboration and efficiency within the local food system, in order to meet the increasing demand for local food in Northeast Indiana.
Objectives:
a. To establish a Northeast Indiana Food Hub Working Group strengthen the partnerships needed to develop a successful and resilient local food hub to serve sellers and buyers in Northeast Indiana;
b. To coordinate funding and consultant facilitation of a feasibility study to determine the best approach and business plan for a Northeast Indiana Food Hub.
FARM TO SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT
Goal: To collaborate with FARMWISE Indiana, regional farmers, and schools to increase participation in Indiana Grown for Schools farm to school programs across Northeast Indiana through local food procurement, and agriculture and nutrition education.
Objectives:
a. To facilitate connections between schools, local farmers, and community organizations across Northeast Indiana;
b. To promote and support the programs of the Northeast Indiana Farm to School Team and Indiana Grown for Schools;
Double Up at HEAL Market
The Olde Farmhouse Farm to School program
STAKEHOLDERS
The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network serves as a central convener, connector, and catalyst across the Northeast Indiana local food system. This is accomplished by:
1. Coordinating efforts across diverse stakeholders,
2. Facilitating communication and collaboration,
3. Advancing strategic planning and systems thinking,
4. Supporting capacity building,
5. Leveraging and aligning resources,
6. Measuring impact and driving accountability.
Through regional collaboration, Northeast Indiana can grow a strong and sustainable local food system—one that advances public health, bolsters local agriculture, and deepens community ties. Together, we can create lasting impact by building a resilient food economy that nourishes both our people and our regional prosperity.
Peers
Other entities that work on food system development across the State of Indiana and beyond
Community & Economic Development Agencies
Agencies that foster local food economies including LEDOs, chambers of commerce, Main Street organizations, etc.
Funders, Donors, & Investors
Foundations, Individuals, and Corporations that contribute resources or make investments to advance our mission.
Volunteers
Community members that freely offer their time and talents in service of our mission.
Producers
Northeast Indiana farmers that grow and raise food for local consumption.
Partner Organizations
Entities that have aligned efforts that correlate to our work, including nonprofits, universities and schools, churches, and businesses.
Government
Entities that implement policies, provide funding and serve constituents such as elected officials, planning departments, health departments, emergency managers, etc.
Local Food Aggregators & Distributors
Entities that receive and distribute local food (produce auctions, food banks, food hubs, etc.)
Wholesale Local Food Buyers
Consumers
Individuals that benefit from increased selection of local food year-round and more ways to obtain it.
Institutions (schools, hospitals, etc.), restaurants, food/ beverage producers and other retailers/ wholesalers who purchase multiple local foods, or buy through a regional food hub.
