ABOUT FGA

A Local Food Initiative

The Food and Growers Association of Laughery Valley & Environs was formed to respond to the felt need of farmers, parents and health professionals who see the connections between community health improvement, sustainable agriculture and a viable local economy in the Laughery Valley and its Environs. FGA is an initiative to build a sustainable local market for foods produced in and around Laughery Valley. Partnering with Historic Hoosier Hills, FGA is promoting a local food system to enable area farmers to market their products to individual consumers and institutional buyers including schools, hospitals, and restaurants. A new agricultural cooperative, Laughery Valley Growers, Inc., launched its first direct marketing efforts in June 2006, with 26 CSA subscribers to FarmFreshCSA.

FGA will benefit our community by:

offering farmers a stable and profitable market for their products
providing consumers with healthy, tasty, and nutritious food
educating the public about their food choices, farming, and local rural life
keeping more of the money spent for annual food purchases within our counties
supporting local businesses
maintaining green space and rural character by sustaining family farms
promoting sustainable agriculture by encouraging growers to use biological friendly/organic methods

FGA will facilitate the purchase of local foods by:

bringing together interested farmers, consumers, institutional buyers, and agricultural experts
assisting in the creation of a multi-farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture
promoting local farmer's markets
assisting farmers in tailoring their products to meet local market demand
developing promotional materials to advertise local products including using the "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" logo
preparing educational materials and public programs to raise consumer interest
seeking grants to enhance a fresh food supply and demand