Shopping for locally grown or produced items just got little easier in Indiana.
Indiana Grown, an initiative of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, launched Shop Indiana Grown, an online marketplace for its members where people can shop for an assortment of locally grown, raised, processed, and packaged items year-round.
“With more than 520,000 companies employing 1.2 million Hoosiers, small businesses play a critical role in fueling Indiana’s economic engine,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. “As more small businesses shift their operations online, the Shop Indiana Grown marketplace will provide an important tool for Indiana companies to reach new customers and elevate Hoosier-made goods in new markets.”
Indiana Grown offers free resources to farms and small businesses that grow, raise, produce, or process agriculture products across the state. Indiana Grown has more than 1,700 members and 50 business partners, ranging from traditional row crop farmers and wineries to artisans and value-added food producers.
The state said Shop Indiana Grown will initially feature nearly 40 vendors with more than 100 products including cheese, honey, coffee, and skin care items.
“One of my favorite activities during the Indiana State Fair is shopping at the Indiana Grown Marketplace,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “I am continually amazed at the variety and quality of products that Hoosier farmers and producers provide, and consumers should have access to those items every day.”
