We believe that food equity is essential for true equity and justice in our societies. Access to healthy, affordable food should be available to everyone. We recognize that currently, this isn't the case. We are here to uplift those in our communities who fight for better food access, and who provide resources for those in need. Here are some people and organizations who are working in this area in northern Indiana.
Back to our main Food Equity and Justice page.
Jump to: FAITH Farms & Orchard, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, North West Indiana Food Council, Unity Gardens Inc.
My name is Curtis A. Whittaker, Sr. and I serve as the Senior Pastor of the Progressive Community Church of Gary and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Families Anchored in Total Harmony, Inc (FAITH CDC) I am a certified lover of Jesus Christ, a certified Commercial Farmer and a Certified Public Accountant. My primary activity is to provide leadership and oversight of the programs of FAITH CDC of which Faith Farms & Orchard, a USDA certified farm, is one such program. I have been a guest lecturer on urban farming techniques at several local high schools and universities and was invited to present at the University of Norte Dame’s Catholic Social Teaching Conference to lecture on the topic, “Interfaith Leadership for Integral Development: A Case Study from Gary, Indiana.” I was most recently recognized for my servant leadership in urban agriculture by being selected as one of the NWI Times and United Way’s Spirit Award recipients.
Please introduce your work/organization
FAITH Farms & Orchard is a program of FAITH CDC, which is a ministry of Progressive Community Church of Gary. We are located in the heart of the Gary Downtown Emerson Neighborhood. It is our vision to build capacity and provide support for BIPOC youth and young adults with a demonstrated interest in farming, and to develop a community-driven approach to growing food that will improve food access and economic outlook, as well as build sense of community and improve nutrition education. We seek to improve food security and access while simultaneously creating opportunities for BIPOC individuals to cultivate growing spaces and farm businesses. We present a holistic approach to addressing the concurrent challenges of food access, job access, the prevalence of blighted spaces in Gary, and the lack of infrastructure and support for emergent farmers through a program we call GARY EATS. Through this endeavor BIPOC individuals gain access (GA) to land and natural resources. At the same time we work to eliminate the impediments and remove yokes (RY) that have stopped BIPOC growers from participating equitably in the food system space. This endeavor will not each its full potential unless we Expand Agricultural Talent (EAT). That is, training the current and next generation of BIPOC leaders to do this work of food justice and food security and by building diverse and just support (S) systems and integrating relationships and new platforms. When we “break up the fallow grounds” of agricultural injustice that have plagued BIPOC communities and begin to plant the seeds of equity and justice into these cultivated soils, we can’t help but reap a bountiful harvest that is available for all to enjoy. This is the ethos of GARY EATS!!!!
What is your organization’s mission?
FAITH Farms & Orchards (FF&O) mission is to equip urban growers of all ages with the tools needed to become certified growers and to assist in providing access to fresh and local produce in BIPOC communities.
How can people access your services?
You can access our services by calling us at 219-880-0850.
How can folks support your work?
The community can support our work in the following ways:
1) assisting us in developing new partnerships through which we source our products;
2) volunteering to work at the farm;
3) providing financial support;
4) singing up to purchase a food box through our CSA program;
5) advocating for additional federal, state and local funding for BIPOC growers;
6) providing pro-bono grant support;
7) sharing grant opportunities with us;
8) sharing with others the work we are doing and asking them to get engaged in the work of creating just food systems.
Give a shout out to any organization or person whose work you’d like to lift up.
Mrs. Freida Graves - Farm Administrator at FAITH Farms & Orchard, Ms. Alma White - Stewart House Farm and Garden located in Gary, Rev. Carmen McKee, Pastor Marty Henderson - Peace Farms, Pastor Dwight Gardner- Trinity Baptist Church, Ms. Lynda Bodie, Min. Damon Bazziel and his sons, Gary Food Council, and NWI Food Council.
Links: faithgary.org and Facebook
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
What is your organization’s mission?
To feed people today, and end hunger tomorrow by inspiring and collaborating with our community.
How can people access your services?
Our food assistance is available through several distribution methods: Mobile Market, Senior Grocery Delivery, Partner Pantries & Soup Kitchens, and more.
How can folks support your work?
Volunteering (foodbanknwi.org/volunteer) or donating (foodbanknwi.org/give) are the two most effective ways to support the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
Give a shout out to any organization or person whose work you’d like to lift up.
Our volunteers are the reason we can do what we do.
Links: Facebook, Instgram, and foodbanknwi.org
Northwest Indiana Food Council
My name is Virginia Pleasant, and I am the Vice President of the board of the Northwest Indiana Food Council, as well as our Value Chain Coordinator. I am also the manager of our regenerative food library which includes farm tools for small scale independent farmers, seeds for the community, and educational resources about food and farming.
Please introduce your work/organization
The Northwest Indiana Food Council takes a systems approach to building our local food system and working towards greater food equity in our region. Through years of engagement with stakeholders throughout the food system we have reaffirmed the complexity of food systems work and the necessity of working across the value chain to ensure that we are working towards a robust and thriving local and regional food system. We do this through programs and projects that provide service and support, education and outreach, and advocacy across the food value chain. Programs and projects of note include our involvement on two USDA grants (an LFPP and an FMPP), our regenerative food library, and ongoing work with farm to school efforts, statewide and regional coalition building, and an eye towards improved food access and equity. The LFPP grant has created a statewide value chain network that seeks to connect small and midscale farmers with additional market opportunities. The FMPP has funded the Lake County Eats Local Program which has improved food access in Lake County by adding farmers markets in Gary and East Chicago and working towards SNAP certification for all farmers' markets in Lake County. Indiana currently imports 90% of its food, and 98% of our fresh fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, we are consistently ranked in the top 10 of agricultural production, while over 120,000 of our community members in Northwest Indiana are food insecure. Cultivating food justice in our region requires consistent attention and work to address deeply-rooted inequities, while listening to and amplifying the voices of those that are working at the community level. In addition to the projects that we have developed, the council seeks to amplify and support the incredible work that is being done in our communities by partner stakeholders; we do this through collaboration, support, and consistent engagement. Each of our board members is also involved in projects and food equity work, ranging from food production, to research, work with K-12 schools, and efforts to mitigate food waste and hunger.
What is your organization’s mission?
The NWI Food Council cultivates a just, thriving, and regenerative food system for all in NW Indiana. We envision a local food system where everyone has affordable access to nutritious food that is grown by regional producers using regenerative practices. We work towards collaboration, healthy ecosystems, equity and resiliency for all in NW Indiana.
How can people access your services?
At the moment we are still working on securing a permanent home, but we are accessible via our social media accounts and email. Emails should be directed to Virginia Pleasant at virginia@nwifoodcouncil.org or Anne Massie at info@nwifoodcouncil.org. The Lake County Eats Local summer market season has concluded for 2020, but we are exploring options for extending the season. For farmers with questions about food safety or how to connect with wholesale markets, I (Virginia Pleasant) am the Value Chain Coordinator and primary contact. I work with farmers year round on strategy and we will be launching our virtual food hub soon!
How can folks support your work?
Our organization is led by a dedicated and active volunteer board. Every project and initiative that we undertake is volunteer led and run. At the moment, the most critical need for improving food equity in our region is investment into hard and soft infrastructure to support the food value chain and to build capacity for the many dedicated volunteers in ours and partner organizations who are doing the work to change our food system. COVID-19 has further illuminated the fragility of our conventional food system, but building an alternative requires time, resources, and dedication. We are always seeking opportunities for collaboration and to hear feedback from the community about their needs. Because we serve a seven-county region, our work is most effective when we receive feedback from local community members. We love hearing from other organizations, stakeholders, and community members about the work they are doing, as well as the challenges they might be facing so that we can help connect them with resources and strategic partnerships. We also welcome the opportunity to help leaders and community members in our region learn more about food equity and food systems, so that they can take the information back to their work and local communities in an effort to work towards greater resilience for our region. If you are a community member looking for more information, please check out our website!
Give a shout out to any organization or person whose work you’d like to lift up.
We have worked and continue to work with so many amazing organizations in our community, state, and region. We always seek to lift up the tireless work of our region's farmers, and encourage everyone to get to know their local farmer and/or local independent food businesses. Supporting them is so critical to ensuring their future viability, particularly now. Other partners and points of collaboration that we hope everyone takes a moment to look up are: FAITH Farms and Orchards (Gary), Peace Gardens and Farm (Gary), the PAX Center and Brighton St Green Space (LaPorte), the Gary Food Council, Society of St. Andrews (statewide), Indiana Farmers Union (Statewide), Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition (Statewide), Indiana Grown, Indiana Grown for Schools, Jibek Mbwakawen (Northwest Indiana), Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Indiana Hope Center, Lake County Eats Local, Sojourner Truth House (Gary), Cultivate Culinary (South Bend), Blind Social Center (Gary), Planting Possibilities (Highland), NWI Food Bank, NWI Veteran's Village. (Hopefully I haven't missed anyone!)
Links: nwifoodcouncil.org, Facebook, Instagram, and lakecountyeatslocal.org
Unity Gardens Inc (South Bend)
Sara L. Stewart RN MSN: I am the Founder and Executive Director of Unity Gardens Inc. I am a public health nurse and my passion for equity and inclusion led me to create a free food garden.
Please introduce your work/organization
Unity Gardens is a uniquely dignified free food model that hosts between 30-60 free pick gardens, a 7 acre urban ecosystem, free garden classes and programs designed to connect people to fresh produce, nature and one another. In addition to 2 acres of free food, the flagship garden hosts goats, chickens, solar energy, and an urban farm that is used to grow food for our farmers' market booths.
What is your organization’s mission?
Unity Gardens improves health and wellness by connecting our community to fresh produce, nature and one another.
How can people access your services?
The gardens are open for anyone to wander through without restrictions. The programs are all free, so people can email, text or call to learn more about our classes or garden locations. We also have video snippets on our youtube channel and on our facebook page. Much information can also be found on our website: www.theunitygardens.org
How can folks support your work?
Unity Gardens would not be here without the support of volunteers, donations, and sponsorships from our community. Individuals and groups are welcome and can work safely, outdoors! We also host internships for those wanting to immerse in Unity Gardens' work! Text or call 574-315-4361 for specific information about connecting to your passion with Unity Gardens!
Give a shout out to any organization or person whose work you’d like to lift up.
Recently Unity Gardens has been working on building a Welcome Center onsite. A shortfall in funding stalled our progress, but the local unions and contractors association came to the rescue. Major contributors include: Koontz Wagner, Electrical Union local 153, Dynamic Mechanical, Niezgodski Plumbing and Plumbers and Pipefitters local 172. Without them, this dream of a home for Unity Gardens; a classroom, market, and office space, would not have been possible!
Links: Education Counts Michiana - Unity Gardens Camp feature on YouTube, Facebook, theunitygardens.org