Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Releases Local Food Needs Assessment & Strategic Plan

The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network (NEILFN) released its Northeast Indiana Local Food Needs Assessment (2025) and its 2025-2027 Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Strategic Plan. This groundbreaking regional analysis and accompanying call to action outline strategies that can transform the region's food system into one that is more sustainable, equitable, and economically resilient.

The NEILFN highlights both significant challenges and bold opportunities for the region's food system. Spanning 11 counties and incorporating insights from over 500 community voices, the analysis reveals a stark reality: despite Indiana's rich agricultural heritage, a staggering 90% of all food and 98% of produce consumed in the region is imported from outside the state.

The assessment details critical issues, including shrinking farmland and increasing land costs, an aging farmer population and limited infrastructure for local food processing and distribution. At the same time, over 100,000 residents struggle with food insecurity, contributing to growing concerns about obesity and diet-related illnesses.

However, NEILFN asserts that Northeast Indiana is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in the local food movement. According to the report, "Positioned in the middle of multiple U.S. population centers, Northeast Indiana sits within overlapping foodsheds – geographic areas where food flows from regional farms to tables in homes, schools, and restaurants. This presents unique opportunities for local food production growth. By prioritizing local access, Northeast Indiana can maximize the economic and health benefits of its agricultural assets, keeping the value of local food circulating close to home where it can make the greatest impact."

“This moment calls for collaborative action,” said Karen Petersen, Executive Director of NEILFN. “If Northeast Indiana has the capacity and the will to lead in local food innovation, we can get there by working together.” Key recommendations from the Assessment’s Call to Action for the Northeast Indiana region include: A Northeast Indiana Local Food Initiative to coordinate investment into action and build capacity across counties, A Regional Food Hub Feasibility Study to boost aggregation and distribution capacity and Regional Scaling of Double Up Nutrition Incentives and Food is Medicine programs to improve health through access to fresh produce.

In addition, a 2025-2027 Strategic Plan has been released for the NEILFN organization which establishes six priorities: Capacity Building, Financial Stability, Local Food System Development, Healthy and Obtainable Local Food, Food Hub Development and Farm to School Development.

The NEILFN is guided by a revised vision and mission to “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.” The NEILFN aims to serve as a central convener, connector, and catalyst for change by collaborating with farmers, schools, nonprofits, healthcare institutions, funders, policymakers, and community members.

This initiative has been facilitated by sustainable food system consultants, Kristi Sturtz, ALM, AICP with Sturtz Public Management Group, and Katherine Vellucci, ALM. Funding for the initiative has been generously provided by the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and through a Regional Food Systems Partnership grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

Join the Movement

NEILFN invites community members, funders, institutions, and businesses to engage with this vision and turn strategy into action. The full Assessment, Call to Action and Strategic Plan are available at www.NEIfood.org.

Together, we can cultivate a Northeast Indiana where local food is at the heart of our communities - supporting thriving farms, healthy families, and a more resilient future.