A state-launched online marketplace is connecting Hoosier farmers, processors, small businesses and artisans with more customers who want to support them.
The Shop Indiana Grown e-commerce platform has become a valuable tool for local farmer Stephanie Strothmann, especially during a time when more people are choosing to order products online.
Known around town as Motha Clucka, Strothmann is the owner of Purple Shamrock Farm in rural Seymour, where she raises chickens for eggs and meat.
The eggs she collects also are an ingredient, along with spent grains from The Seymour Brewing Co., in the homemade dog treats she makes and sells.
By listing her I.P.A. (Incredible Pupper Appetizer) Bites on shopindianagrown.org, Strothmann is able to reach more customers than ever before, she said.
The online marketplace launched last month and is a free service to members of Indiana Grown, a statewide program supported by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the lieutenant governor’s office.
Indiana Grown offers free resources to farms and businesses that grow, raise, produce or process an agriculture product in Indiana. Members range from traditional row crop farmers to wineries to artisans to value-added food producers.
There are around 20 Jackson County farms and businesses listed as members of Indiana Grown.
Right now, around 40 Hoosier vendors with more than 100 products are available on the online marketplace, but the selection increases as new vendors and items are added daily.
Customers can shop for locally made cheese, honey, sauces and condiments, coffee, meat, skin care products, candles, candy, dog treats and more.
“It has been going steady,” Strothmann said of her sales through the site. “There was more business right after its launch, but I think people need to know that it’s out there and available.”
The website benefits both local farmers and producers as well as consumers and the state, she added.
“Not only are they getting great products, but they’re providing support and income to those in our state who will then contribute to the local economy,” she said of people purchasing from the site.
Heather Tallman, program director for Indiana Grown, said the online marketplace took months of hard work to launch to ensure it truly benefits members.
“We often get asked how to purchase from our members, and we are thrilled to see the consumer response to this exciting solution,” she said.
Indiana is fortunate to have such a program as Indiana Grown, which celebrated its fifth anniversary last summer, to help promote local agriculture and small business, she added.
By collaborating with the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Indiana Grown also is assisting Hoosier farms and small businesses by getting their products into bigger retailers, including grocery stores and restaurants.
“Indiana Grown is stepping up its ability to serve its members and consumers,” said ISDA Director Bruce Kettler. “This new benefit is addressing the ever-changing needs of Indiana’s agriculture community.”
The online marketplace evolved from the popularity of the Indiana Grown Marketplace offered annually at the Indiana State Fair.
“One of my favorite activities during the Indiana State Fair is shopping at the Indiana Grown Marketplace,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “I am continually amazed at the variety and quality of products that Hoosier farmers and producers provide, and consumers should have access to those items every day.”
Strothmann has been a vendor at the fair the past two years.
Thanks to membership in Indiana Grown, she also has participated in the annual Monumental Market, a large farmers market around Indianapolis Monument Circle.
Although she is selling just the dog treats at this time, Strothmann said she may add poultry meat and eggs to Shop Indiana Grown later on.
“I don’t have meat birds available right now, and they would be hard to ship,” she said. “I may add those and eggs in the future, just depends on how well they go over locally first.”
Strothmann also sews and sells tote bags and wallets from her used chicken feed bags and this summer plans to start a new adventure in beekeeping.
On the Web
To purchase a variety of Hoosier grown and made products, visit shopindianagrown.org.
For information about becoming an Indiana Grown member, visit indianagrown.org/join.