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Growing Indiana’s Food Hub industry

A new study recommends ways to grow Indiana’s Food Hub industry.

Ted McKinney, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) says the study provides a roadmap with specific actions and activities that will help find ways Food Hubs can bring growers and buyers together.

“For farmers it was this need to be in more places at one time and be more efficient,” said McKinney. “And for consumers it was, we want fresh, we want those blueberries, that sweet corn and we can’t always go to a farmer’s market, we’d like to do it on our own time and oh by the way, maybe use modern technology.”

McKinney says the study’s recommendations include the launching of a Virtual Indiana Food Hub Network and streamlining state policies and procedures. It also recommends improving the marketing of Indiana specialty crops and regional food hubs by using the revamped Indiana Grown program and it recommends increasing and improving the advocacy role of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

To learn more about Indiana Food Hubs, go here.

Audio: Ted McKinney, Director, Indiana State Department of Agriculture