FARMWISE Newsletter: July 2026

Aug 5

Resources, school connections, and wholesale readiness- your July update from FARMWISE Indiana🍅

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Hello friend,

What does it mean when we say we are re-regionalizing food systems for Indiana? It is a nod to our past, and an invitation to the future. Prior to the sophisticated transport, processing, and storage capabilities of our modern food system, people grew and sold locally and regionally.

On the farm where my mom grew up, for example, they supplied the local grocer with eggs and apples and sold food-grade grains to the local miller. Those foods were processed and purchased by other families in their communities and also transported to larger towns for sales. There was infrastructure that supported that type of food production and distribution. However, regional food systems did not work solely because people were forced to buy and sell from one another. They worked because people knew and talked with one another and made plans for food production so that the food supply met the demand of home consumers and wholesale buyers. Those conversations were and still are critical for food systems to "re-regionalize."

What is our invitation to the future? It's back to the people and the infrastructure. This month, we are focused on the people. Farmers meeting farmers. Farmers meeting buyers. Distributors meeting suppliers. School Food Service Directors meeting with farmers and food businesses. Chefs meeting School Food Service Directors. Conversations that are at the heart of regional food system development.

Why relationships? Local and regional food systems rely on people who share values and decide together that they are going to do this. It is not easy to start and there are barriers, both real and perceived, that need to be addressed. But as we heard in the Priority Local stories, "start small." All the buyers say the same thing. Just start with one food, or if you have already started with one thing, move on to more foods. Think about your menus and what you could imagine sourcing from an Indiana farm.

Strong regional food systems rely on each farmer, each food supplier, and each buyer to make the decision again and again to participate in the regional food supply chain. It is not mandated by the state, nor is there additional funding available for purchasing food. FARMWISE Indiana is here to support your efforts and to build the opportunities for you to connect with each other. Our 39 Connections meetings since April have gathered over 225 people in 36 counties across Indiana. In August, we will host the Regional Wholesale Connect events that will set the table for farmers and food businesses to display and share the foods they are growing with potential buyers in the region. Even if you are not ready to buy, it is important to know what's out there. Come, learn, taste, and meet others like you, who are interested in creating strong, regional food economies that support youth, health, and our farming way of life. See you soon!

Visit Our Website Here!

🍅Are you a farmer, producer, or artisan food maker? Are you processing in an inspected space and prepared to enter the wholesale market or thinking about it?

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/76YEuzQ5zjCwf2iQ6

📦Are you an institutional buyer? School Food Service Director? Chef? Retail buyer or Distributor? We would love to have you! This is a fun, no-risk way to meet new farmers and producers in the Northern half of Indiana.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/T3gprJtegB2gSBZE6

Field Notes

Robin Kitowski: Director of Producer Relations and Market Access

In July, Robin visited Sirocco Ridge Farm in Clark County, a goat dairy and creamery operation where she toured the pastures alongside owner David Taylor and his elite milker, Tanzanite. It was a timely visit for a farm worth knowing: Sirocco Ridge took first prize at the American Cheese Society this month, earning a 98.5 out of 100 for the best goat feta in the nation.

Email Robin

Jen Musall: Northwest Indiana

In July, Jen focused on building the farmer and buyer connections that set schools up to purchase locally when the new school year begins, reaching out to food service directors through emails, phone calls, and in-person events. She attended the Food 2 School Food Show as part of that effort, making sure schools heading into the fall had the local food options and producer relationships they needed to hit the ground running.

Email Jen

Becky Landes: Northeast Indiana

In July, Becky connected local farmers and institutional buyers through a visit to Clear Springs Produce Auction with Lakeland School District, bringing local food one step closer to school meals, and toured Gunthorp Farms with our Staff to deepen her understanding of what farm-to-wholesale looks like on the ground. She wrapped the month celebrating Northeast Indiana Local Food Week at The River Farm's Sunset on the Farm event, a reminder that building regional food systems is as much about community as it is about commerce.

Email Becky

Pete Vissar: Southeast Indiana

In July, Pete visited the Southern Produce Auction in Versailles to learn more about regional produce distribution and connect with local growers in Southeast Indiana. It was a strong example of the kind of farmer and buyer relationships FARMWISE Indiana works to strengthen across the region.

Email Pete

Upcoming Events

Jen Musall- NW Indiana Connection Dates

8/15: Presenting at the Newton County, Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Lunch 11:30-2:00 pm CST, RSVP by 8/7 to Haley Current at 765-414-9786

Becky Landes- NE Indiana Connection Dates

No Connections scheduled at this time. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIN for updates.

SW Indiana Connection Dates

8/19: Morgan County, Eremos Coffee Company in Mooresville 3-5pm

8/20: Orange County, Lost River Co-op & Cafe in Paoli 9-11am

8/20: Harrison County, Kent Java Bar in Corydon 1-3pm

8/20: Lawrence County, Sweet Cakes Bakery in Bedford 3-5pm

8/21: Owen County, Main Street Coffee in Spencer 10am-12pm

8/21: Greene County ReJAVAnated in Bloomfield 2-4pm

8/25: Warrick County, Coffee by Em in Boonville 9-11am CST

8/27: Dubois County, Huntingburg Grind in Huntingburg 9-11am

8/27: Posey County, Black Lodge Coffee Roasters in New Harmony 1-3pm CST

9/3: Vigo County, Bear's Coffee and Roasting Co South in Terre Haute 3-5pm

Pete Vissar- SE Indiana Connection Dates

8/18: Washington County, Lisa’s Farmhouse Market in Salem 2:30-4:30pm

8/25: Jefferson County, Growing Minds Farm Stop in Madison 4-6pm

See real time news from FARMWISE Indiana and get upcoming event updates- follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our new FARMWISE Indiana LinkedIN page.

Field Notes

Local Food Procurement Partnership Guide

This Guide from FARMWISE Indiana is designed to facilitate successful partnerships between local food suppliers and wholesale buyers. While this Guide may seem like a lot of information, each section is designed to help avoid the common pitfalls that can occur in communications and negotiations between buyers and suppliers.

See our Local Food Partnership Procurement Guide Here

Indiana Melon Field Day and Tasting

Recently, FARMWISE Indiana hosted a melon field day and tasting with the Southwest Purdue AG Center in Vincennes. Located in Knox County, this area is home to countless growers of both specialty and more commonly available melon.

Local Produce, Local Kids, Local Farms

When kids in Fort Wayne head back to school, some of them will also be heading home with fresh, locally grown produce- and FARMWISE Indiana Value Chain Professional Becky Landes helped make that happen.

FARMWISE Newsletter: July 2026

Field Notes