Indiana Grown aims to expand schools' access to local foods

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A state program devoted to finding new markets for Indiana-grown foods is aiming to expand Hoosier school districts' access to local foods.

Indiana Grown is working with three partners on a local food resource guide school that school food service directors will be able to consult to make more informed purchasing decisions.

That initiative is seeking farmers, producers and businesses interested in selling fruits, vegetables and other crops, as well as locally produced food products.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch says the guide can't be completed until it's determined "what local products are available in Indiana and who's interested in providing them."

The State Department of Health and Purdue Extension are helping create the guide, which the Indiana Department of Education will distribute to all Indiana public school corporations.