FARMWISE Indiana to continue local food mission as nonprofit

After nearly two years housed at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI), FARMWISE Indiana is taking the next step to ensure that locally produced food is accessible to more Hoosiers.

The program, launched in July 2024 to strengthen regional food systems in Indiana, is forming its own nonprofit organization, FARMWISE Indiana Inc. The new nonprofit officially started April 1 and will continue to serve farmers, food producers and buyers at schools, universities, and hospitals across the state.

“In less than two years, FARMWISE Indiana has proven there is strong interest at Indiana institutions to source more food locally,” said ERI Managing Director Sarah Mincey. “The technical assistance provided by FARMWISE Indiana’s team of value chain professionals is the key to unlocking that potential, helping to align farmers’ production with institutions’ food needs.

“ERI is proud to have served as an incubator for FARMWISE Indiana and will continue to serve as a bridge for food-system scholars and IU students as the program spins off into a standalone nonprofit. We look forward to continued collaboration.”

Since its inception, the FARMWISE Indiana team has fostered relationships with more than 2,200 stakeholders, attended and hosted more than 1,200 meetings, and made more than 300 introductions between buyers and sellers of local food.

FARMWISE Indiana has spurred 247 businesses to work on their values-based procurement plans and has helped shift $75,000 to local farms.

In addition, FARMWISE Indiana is now able to quantify the direct farm impact of the institutions purchasing locally grown foods. For example, IU Dining in Bloomington spent more than $4 million buying food from Hoosier businesses, including $1.4 million from Indiana farms, during the 2024-25 academic year.

As a nonprofit with funding from Builders’ Vision, FARMWISE Indiana Inc. will continue to build on its early momentum and offer consulting services for farmers and food producers who are ready to sell wholesale but need guidance.

“FARMWISE Indiana Inc. will be successful because of the support received at Indiana University Bloomington and the university’s all-in approach to serving our state,” said FARMWISE Indiana Resilient Food Systems Manager Jodee Smith, who will be leading the new nonprofit. “IU has made major strides in providing service to improve the lives and livelihoods of Hoosiers. We are proud to launch this nonprofit from a place where colleagues are passionate about progress and support for all Hoosiers.”

About the Environmental Resilience Institute

The Environmental Resilience Institute, a CIMS (Centrally Administered Centers, Institutes, Museums and Service Centers) under IU Research, bridges academia, applied research, and community resilience to deliver the science-informed, equity-centered solutions needed to flourish in a changing climate. Through community partnerships, transformative research, and immersive learning, ERI is creating a more sustainable and prosperous future. Learn more at eri.iu.edu.