Supporting sustainability in local food networks to improve access to nutritious food

Grantee spotlight: The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network

Pictured above from left to right: Michelle Shippy, Food is Medicine Director, Indiana Department of Health; Logan Haffner, Impact Manager, Community Harvest Food Bank; Mary Ann Mings, Executive Director, In As Much/Circles; Eric Manor, Associate Chief for Campus and Community Wellbeing, Purdue Fort Wayne; and Yin Yin Moe, Burmese Workers Initiative – Worker’s Project

The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Conference, titled “Nourishing Our Community with Our Local Food System,” aimed to strengthen connections within the local food community. It brought together many of St. Joe Foundation’s grantees and community partners. Attendees included farmers, producers, consumers, nonprofits, elected officials, and advocates who discussed sustainable practices, promoted local food initiatives, addressed challenges within the regional food system, and fostered collaboration and innovation. Panels addressed challenges and opportunities related to local food insecurity and food as medicine.

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is committed to helping the over 51,000 food-insecure individuals in Allen County access nutritious, culturally appropriate, affordable food options. The Foundation understands the importance of nutritious food in improving health and prioritizes programming that supports sustainable infrastructures of these valuable, local food networks.