Today begins Fort Wayne’s fifth annual Local Food Week, a 10-day event organized by the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network. The network’s mission is to support the growth of a vibrant local food marketplace.
But this celebration is more than just a series of events highlighting the richness of our local food ecosystem. It also shows the health and economic benefits of eating locally.
Local Food Week is a vibrant showcase featuring more than 110 tours and events, spanning 40 farms, markets, restaurants and artisan food producers across seven northeast Indiana counties. Find out more at neifood.org.
However, eating locally is more than just a trendy, hipster thing to do.
Economically, supporting local farmers and food producers keeps money within our community. Studies show that for every dollar spent at a local business, about 67 cents stays within the local economy, compared to 32 cents when spent with a nonlocal business.
Farmers markets generate nearly $1 billion in economic activity annually in the United States, providing employment opportunities and supporting local suppliers and services. Additionally, local food businesses reinvest in their communities, sourcing from other local businesses, supporting local charities and contributing to placemaking, a key component in community and economic development.
For our bodies, eating locally sourced food can lead to better health outcomes as it contains more nutrients when harvested at peak ripeness and doesn’t require lengthy transportation.
This freshness translates into better taste and nutritional value. Moreover, utilizing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds at local vendors increases access to nutritious food for low-income families.
The SNAP Double Up program in Fort Wayne and Allen County, sponsored by the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, is designed to enhance the purchasing power of SNAP recipients by providing a dollar-for- dollar match on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Double Up allows SNAP users to receive up to $20 per day in matched funds, effectively doubling their ability to purchase nutritious produce. The program operates at various locations including Fort Wayne’s Farmers Market at Electric Works, all three Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) markets, Plowshares mobile markets and the Three Rivers Natural Food Co-Op.
The program, supported by a $500,000 grant from the federal Department of Agriculture and additional funds from local organizations like Parkview Health and United Way of Allen County, aims to improve access to healthy food while supporting local farmers and markets.
Programs such as VeggieRx, which Parkview piloted in Allen County, also underscore the health benefits of fresh produce, particularly for people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes. By expanding to counties like Kosciusko, LaGrange and Huntington, VeggieRx is helping more residents integrate fruits and vegetables into their diets, promoting healthier lifestyles. For more information go to parkview.com/health-resources/veggierx.
Local Food Week is a reminder of the implications of our food choices. Supporting local food nurtures our bodies, strengthens our local economy, and builds a more connected, resilient community. There’s nothing more Hoosier than buying and eating local farm produce, or more hospitable than sharing it with friends and neighbors.
