Indiana Grown for Schools

The Indiana Grown for Schools Network was launched through a 2018–2020 USDA Farm to School Grant awarded to the Indiana State Department of Health. Working alongside the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Purdue Extension, the grant supported the development of this website and the Indiana Grown for Schools Buyer’s Guide. Since then, the Network has expanded into a statewide initiative dedicated to strengthening connections between Indiana schools, local farmers, and community partners.

Nearly 1.2 million Indiana students rely on their schools each day for learning, nourishment, and support. Because children spend so many of their waking hours at school—and often eat most of their daily meals there—schools play a critical role in shaping lifelong healthy eating habits. Farm to school activities connect students with fresh, local foods and hands‑on learning, benefiting children while strengthening local farms, communities, and Indiana’s economy.

Vision

We envision an Indiana food system that engages young people, farmers, school systems and whole communities in farm to school activities, to create a new generation of food citizens.

Mission

Indiana Grown for School Network is a collaborative effort to foster the relationships necessary to sustain farm to school activities in every Indiana county. By supporting local farmers and school communities, we forecast the emergence of agricultural leaders who understand the interconnectivity of food systems, resulting in healthier families, communities, and economies. Our Network seeks to expand and strengthen programming to 1) increase local foods served in schools, 2) create or sustain school gardens, and 3) incorporate nutrition education in the classroom.