Growing Connections: How FARMWISE Indiana Brings Indiana Farmers and Schools Together

When Becky Landes walked into the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network meeting in February 2025, she had no idea that one introduction would lead to a ripple of change in the local food economy across her region. 

There she met Walter Hilty, an Amish farmer from Adams County. A few weeks later, she found herself at the Adams County Produce Auction, sitting down with Walter and a group of farmers who were curious but cautious about selling to schools.

As a food value chain professional, Becky saw the opportunity. She thought of Alex Burgess, food service director for Huntington Community School Corporation that feeds over 4,000 school children daily, and reached out. Alex was intrigued by the idea of serving local produce like mini snack peppers to his elementary students. By May, he had committed to buying 245 pounds of peppers each week for the coming school year. Becky carried the news back to Walter and Enos at the produce auction, walking them step by step through the unfamiliar process of becoming school vendors.

At the same time, Becky connected with Raina Sisson from Norwell School Corporation in Wells County. Raina was already purchasing a few local items but wanted more, especially watermelons. Walter and Enos agreed to add them to their deliveries. Becky pulled out Google Maps and carefully designed a 12-stop delivery route- something the farmers couldn’t do themselves without internet access.

On August 21, 2025, the first delivery went out: 245 pounds of peppers to Huntington schools and 64 watermelons to Norwell. Everything went smoothly, and Walter even tucked in a few extra samples for the kitchens. Within weeks, Huntington North High School expanded its order to include tomatoes and onions, repeating the request week after week.

Building Markets for Apples

Not far away, Galen and Julia Metzger of Metzger Orchard and Cider Press were facing a different challenge. With 2,500 apple trees, they had plenty of fruit, but Galen wanted schools to be his main market. Selling directly hadn’t always been easy- sometimes it took years just to make a first sale.

Becky stepped in to help. At Whitko School District, she met with Superintendent Amy Korus and Food Service Director Michelle Badskey, who was hesitant at first. Becky shared resources on school food procurement, and soon Whitko was buying nine bushels of apples every other week.

At Huntington, Becky paired Galen’s apples with the already established pepper deliveries, securing sales of 35–45 bushels every two weeks. She also reconnected with Southwest Allen Schools, where a new food service director, Erika Horner, agreed to purchase 30 bushels biweekly.

But Becky didn’t stop there. Working with fellow FARMWISE Indiana Value Chain Professional Jen Musall, she reached beyond her immediate area to line up new customers in Cass and Miami counties, where Logansport and Maconaquah schools are now preparing to receive their first apple deliveries.

Galen said he is grateful for Becky and Jen’s help to find new schools for his apples. Before FARMWISE value chain professionals, Galen would make cold calls on schools. He said that sometimes it would take up to two years before he would get a response from a school that he had contacted. He is “very happy that he does not have to make cold calls anymore because it takes so much time.”

Saving Surplus, One Snap Pea at a Time

Sometimes, Becky’s work is about quick thinking. Early this summer, she received a text from Hawkins Family Farm in Wabash County. They had a bumper crop of sugar snap peas- too many to sell, and too good to waste.

Becky started making calls. Manchester Community Schools took 10 pounds. When she visited Warsaw Community Schools that same day, she asked if they could use any. Their food service director, Stacie Light, said yes- 100 pounds. Meanwhile, with help from Michele Schnelker at Parkview Wellness, Fort Wayne Community Schools took another 100 pounds.

In just a few hours, Becky turned what could have been composted into 210 pounds sold at $5 a pound- a welcome $1,050 for the Hawkins family and a fresh treat for hundreds of kids.

As Zach Hawkins shared to Stacie Light, Warsaw Community School District Food Service Director,

“I’m so glad it worked out and that you enjoyed the peas! I’d love to find more ways to work together, as well. Becky has helped me understand the kinds of food that are easier to prepare in school kitchens such as lettuce, snack peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes and I’d love to hear what kinds of produce you are interested in sourcing locally.”

Rooted in Relationships

From snack peppers to apples to snap peas, Becky’s work as a Value Chain Professional with FARMWISE Indiana is rooted in relationships- connecting farmers with schools, helping them overcome barriers, and making sure deliveries run smoothly.