In April 2025, Governor Braun signed Executive Order 25-58 which required the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to conduct a comprehensive study related to Hoosiers’ access to local foods.
Increasing awareness, availability and access to Indiana’s rich heritage of local fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy not only provides nutritious food sources for Hoosiers but further strengthens Indiana agriculture as the backbone of our State’s economy. Indiana holds a strong national position in agriculture, ranking among the top farming states in the country - providing a solid foundation for expanding local food systems.
Through the identification of existing state programs, gaps, trends in consumer behavior, and successful state and local models, Indiana is well positioned to eliminate existing barriers to our State’s local food systems and ensure Hoosiers are helping Hoosiers from farm to table.
Indiana stands at a pivotal moment in shaping the future of its food system.
Executive Order 25-58 was introduced to redefine how the state of Indiana supports our Indiana food and farming operations, ensuring that locally grown, raised and processed foods are more accessible to families across the state.
This executive order recognizes that Indiana’s agricultural heritage is one of its greatest assets and underscores the importance of building stronger ties between Hoosier farmers and families, creating pathways for fresh, locally grown food to reach every community across the state.
This study was undertaken to assess the current awareness, availability and accessibility of locally grown food in Indiana; identify the obstacles that prevent Hoosier farmers from reaching or tapping into new markets; and explore strategies that can expand and strengthen the local food economy statewide. By grounding this work in data, stakeholder input and economic analysis, this study provides a road map for achieving the goals of Executive Order 25-58.
Agricultural production, food processing, and consumer behavior
This study evaluates Indiana’s agricultural production capacity, from commodity crops and dairy, poultry and livestock to specialty crops and emerging markets, and how these products move through the state’s food system. It assesses food-processing infrastructure, including meat processors, produce packing facilities and value-added operations, identifying gaps that limit market access. The study also explores consumer behavior, including awareness of local food options; household purchasing patterns; and participation in direct farm purchases, like farmers markets, on-farm stands and institutional procurement. Expanding market channels for food and farming businesses is the focus of this study; addressing food insecurity within the state was not in scope for this work.
Economic impacts and policy considerations
This study analyzes the economic implications of strengthening local food systems, including farm profitability, job creation, community economic multipliers, food affordability and supply chain resilience. It also evaluates policy considerations, such as licensing, inspection requirements, local procurement framework and opportunities to streamline regulations to support local producers.
Definition of “local”
For the purposes of the Increasing Hoosier Access to Local Foods study, “local” refers to food that is grown, raised, processed and/or packaged within the state of Indiana. This definition aligns with the intent of Executive Order 25-58 and ISDA’s Indiana Grown program, emphasizing the importance of supporting in-state businesses.
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