Emerging Strategies for Stronger Food Systems

Indiana University’s Sustainable Food Systems Science (SFSS) and Center for Rural Engagement (CRE) are teaming up to help increase the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the food system in the Indiana Uplands Region.

Regional and local food system development is an emerging strategy for building employment, social capital, and better health in rural places like Southwest Central Indiana. Local and regional food systems continue to evolve and consumer demand for locally grown food is increasingly tied to community resilience, economic development, and the well-being of community members. Communities across Indiana are working to develop intentional plans for change, including: policy, infrastructure, farmer programs, public health programs, and creative distribution solutions to connect more eaters with food grown from Indiana farms.

April Webinar Series

Tuesday 7 April 2020, 11am-12pm EST (10-11am CST)

Jordan van Everdingen will be presenting about Local Line, a web platform for creating virtual farm markets. Your local market could be up and running by May, in an online setting where farmers manage their own inventory and customers can shop from multiple farms with one checkout experience. Please see their direct to consumer guide for farmers related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch the Recording Here

Tuesday 14 April, 11am-12pm EST (10-11am CST)

Register Here

Join us to hear organizers from The People’s Market in Bloomington present about a modified, multi-farm CSA model they are implementing that allows their market to operate safely under the constraints caused by COVID-19. With weekly orders, pre-payment, and structured drop off and pick up times, models such as this help communities accomodate the public health considerations necessary during this time of crisis. Presenters will discuss logistics, why this is a good model for certain communities, what they have learned in the process of developing this model, and some special ways they help get good food into the hands of those who can't afford the weekly CSA order. In this webinar, we will also discuss ways that farmers and home vendors can donate fresh food to the food pantries and food banks who are in high gear this season helping the many people who have lost their jobs and access to food using resources such as Ample Harvest.

Tuesday 21 April, 11am-12pm EST (10-11am CST)

Join us to discuss best safety practices for Farmers' Markets, whether in-person or online, during this time of concerns around the spread of COVID-19. 

Tuesday 28 April, 11am-12pm EST (10-11am CST)

Join us in learning more about social media marketing and engaging with your customers when you cannot see them at the market each week. We can explore what types of social media accounts work best for different purposes, what kinds of posts get the most engagement, and other ways to stay connected and support business during this time of social distancing.

 * All webinars will be recorded and available for viewing at a later point for those who are unable to attend or would like to share with others.