More than Corn in Indiana...Who Knew?

Sunday, August 29 marked the inaugural Dig-In: A Taste of Indiana event, a “slow food” fair and food/beverage tasting extravaganza in Indianapolis's White River State Park. The park was filled with examples of Central Indiana's best chefs, expert-led discussions and presentations, practical demonstrations, music, artisans, and fun. Thousands of people turned out to sample food made from chefs showcasing the products provided by local growers.

Yes, Indiana actually produces more than soybeans and inedible corn!

Did you know that Indiana...

• ...is the #1 duck producer?
• ...is the #2 producer of tomatoes, ice cream, and popcorn?
• ...is the #3 chicken egg producer?
• ...is the #4 mint producer?
• ...is the #5 producer of spearmint and cantaloupe?
• ...is the #6 hog producer?
• ...is the #7 producer of turkey, watermelon, snap beans, and cucumbers?
• ...is the #8 blueberry producer?

Data Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA

Indiana also has quite the grape population, enough to support 23 commercial vineyards and wineries throughout the state. The wineries offering their fabulous selections for free tasting included: Chateau Thomas Winery, Carousel Winery, Oliver Winery, Indian Creek, Mallow Run, Madison Vineyards, Turtle Run, and Simmons Winery.

The micro-brewery market is also gaining popularity in Indiana, with the state being home to 2 vodkas and dozens of local breweries. Six producers brought their beers for sampling: New Albanian, Three Floyds, Upland, Sun King, Barley Island, and the Brugge.

So what is “Slow Food”, exactly? It's a movement. It's a lifestyle. It's a diet. And it's also a global, grassroots movement around the world that links food with commitment to communities and the environment. It's a call-to-arms to encourage people to ask themselves the hard questions: where does my food come from?  Who produces it?  What's in it?  And how much am I spending on it?

The Slow Food movement encourages us to choose food that is grown locally, and in a manner that was kindly to the plants, the workers, and the environment in general. Sure, it might sound a bit lofty...but it doesn't have to be. People can start small, like choosing to buy their food from producers in their home state. Let's face it, nothing beats devouring food freshly picked from the garden...so why not choose to eat food that was grown nearby, by people you know, and that is good for you and the local economy?

Sounds impossible at first, doesn't it? But it's not. In fact, it's super easy. Especially in the summer and early fall. Start by looking for Farmer's Markets in your area. In Indiana, many farmer's markets can be found at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture website (document available for download here).  

Nationwide, many Farmer's Markets can be found on the Local Harvest website.  This site is also a good resource for finding Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) operations in your area. CSAs are large-scale gardens operated by individual people, families, or non-profit organizations, and you can pledge to buy a specific amount of produce from them every week of the growing season...and sometimes, they'll even deliver right to your door! In Indiana, the growing season usually lasts from late April through early October. CSAs are a good local-produce purchasing option for those of us who inadvertently destroy anything we grow, or don't have the time/space to grow a garden. It's also cheaper than buying fruits and vegetables from the store every week, because you're buying in bulk and spreading that cost over 6 months of agricultural productivity.

But lists of official Farmer's Markets don't even begin to include the multitude of roadside farm stands at plant nurseries and on family farms. Sometimes even backyard gardeners will put up a plywood or cardboard sign advertising their seasonal produce. Simply take what you want, leave your change in the jar, and voila!—fresh food!  Many can be found on state highways, country roads, residential streets...basically anywhere away from an interstate highway. If you live in an agricultural area, try taking a different way home one day...you might be amazed at what you find!

So why support local growers, anyway? What is the advantage, when it's so convenient to go to the local box store and get everything you need all in one place?

Local economic stimulus. And lots of it.

Nearly every state in the US is in a budget crunch right now, begging for stimulus dollars and projects from the federal government. That's an entirely different can of worms that I don't want to get into here, but here are the facts: when people shop at big box stores, international agriculture corporations and large shipping companies are getting those profits...not the local producers. Don't believe me? Just check the product labels on your produce: Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Central America, California, Idaho.

How many of those labels are from your home state?

The average family of four spends about $100 per week on groceries. If every family in Indiana used just $6.50 of that grocery money to buy local produce, that would be $250 million being spent DIRECTLY on the Indiana economy. When you calculate that the dollars spent on local produce goes back into the communities that provided it, thus generating another 3-5% of economic growth in the area...you get over $1 billion stimulus dollars!

Sounds almost good enough to eat...

Remember, you vote with your fork.  The power is in YOUR hands.  If big grocery chains aren't meeting your dietary, social, or economic needs, you don't have to shop there.  Believe it or not, there ARE other options in your area!

And if researching your local food providers sounds like too much work for you right now, that's fine too. Start small by choosing to eat foods that are in-season. This will save you money at the store, because in-season produce is MUCH cheaper than when it is out-of-season. Check out this harvest calendar to see what's being harvested in the Midwest right now. See a fruit or vegetable that sounds interesting? Try it! You might like it.

Happy Eating!