FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – You’re invited to sound off on a new plan for the area’s food economy.
The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network will hold four engagement sessions for the public to check out the NEI Local Food Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan Initiative. The Strategic Plan is aimed at economic growth for the local food food industry.
The following was released:
The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network is excited to announce that they will be holding four public engagement sessions across Northeast Indiana between June 24th – June 27th, 2024. These sessions are being held as part of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan Initiative. The purpose of this effort is to increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the local food system in Northeast Indiana. The planning process will also help Northeast Indiana stakeholders determine how to build capacity and resilience within the local food system, increase inclusivity, and serve vulnerable and/or marginalized populations. The planning initiative will run through the summer and early fall with completion anticipated in the late fall. Additional focus group, interview, and survey outreach is being planned for July-August of 2024.
According to Janet Katz, Founding Director of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network, “We are hosting public engagement sessions across the region, so we can hear directly from everyone who is interested in, and impacted by local food. Our organization wants to understand the needs and opportunities they see for their families, schools, businesses and communities. The insights we learn will guide our plans to serve and strengthen our local food system.”
The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network is excited to announce our kickoff of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Needs…
Posted by Northeast Indiana Local Food Network on Monday, June 10, 2024
Sessions will include: A Food Systems 101 primer, a panel discussion with Northeast Indiana local food stakeholders, and facilitated tabletop discussions where ideas can be shared. Session time and location information is as follows:
Monday, June 24th – 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Community Learning Center in Kendallville
Tuesday, June 25th – 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Walb Classic Ballroom at PFW in Fort Wayne
Wednesday, June 26th – 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Peabody Public Library in Columbia City
Thursday, June 27th – 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Wells County Commerce & Visitors Bureau in Bluffton
Kristi Sturtz, ALM, AICP with Sturtz Public Management Group, and Kate Vellucci , ALM have been hired to facilitate this process. According to Ms. Sturtz, “Food is connected to so many aspects of having a good quality of life and quality of place within our communities, from health and wellness to the natural environment to the local economy. We invite local leaders, food system stakeholders, and resident consumers to participate in upcoming engagement sessions to both learn and share how we can work together to build a more resilient and inclusive local food system throughout Northeast Indiana.”
This initiative is being funded through the generous support of a USDA Regional Food System Partnerships grant and the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation. It is requested that those that plan to attend register at www.neifood.org.
Light refreshments and free parking will be provided.
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