Indiana Grown Names New Director

By Whitney Downard, Indiana Capital Chronicle

September 12, 2022

Caroline Patrick will serve as the new director of Indiana Grown, promoting locally produced food from Hoosier farmers to consumers under the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). Though Indiana has over 57,500 farms and spends $16 billion annually on food, less than 10% of that food comes from within the state.

Patrick will connect the program’s 2,000 members to new opportunities to sell at local markets, educating consumers and meeting with statewide officials to implement the program.

“The Indiana Grown program is an exceptional way to promote shopping local and value-added production and processing here in the state of Indiana,” said ISDA Director Bruce Kettler in a release. “I am confident under Caroline’s leadership the Indiana Grown program will continue to flourish and advance to the Next Level.”

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, also Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Kettler announced the appointment last week.

“As its new director, I am excited to see where Caroline will take the Indiana Grown program,” said Crouch in the release. “Caroline will lead the charge in elevating the Indiana Grown program while continuing to provide value to its members and Hoosier consumers.”

Previously, Patrick worked as the director of food nutrition at Community Hospital East in Indianapolis where she opened a bistro featuring local, fresh ingredients from nearby farmers. Patrick has a culinary arts degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of director for Indiana Grown. This program is near and dear to my heart, and I have tried to source local and shop local for years in my previous roles,” said Patrick in a release. “I am looking forward to connecting with members and encouraging entrepreneurship, awareness and expansion for local businesses in our great state.”
Learn more about the program at indianagrown.org.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.