Farmers markets, community gardens, grocery stores and more offer local produce.

The interest in local products, sustainability and urban gardening continues to grow. Downtown Indianapolis farmers, gardeners and leaders provide opportunities for consumers to learn about their food source. In 2010 alone, two new farmers markets were added to the list of local produce places. Living in or visiting the heart of the Midwest gives Downtown Indianapolis residents, employees, and visitors the benefit of unlimited fresh, local produce year-round.

farmers markets
Indianapolis City Market Farmers Markets
**NEW SATURDAY** – Farmers and locals have come together under the roof of City Market for over 150 years. From May through October, the market offers two outdoor opportunities for shoppers to shop for local produce and the best Indiana produce, from meats, eggs, cheese and baked goods to fresh-cut flowers and plants. Shop at the Original Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 9:30am-1:30pm and the newly added Original Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am-1:30pm. Sustainable agriculture.

Stadium Village Farmers Market
**NEW**: This inaugural Farmers Market takes place Tuesday, June 1 through September 28 from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm, located in the parking lot across from Shapiro’s Deli (801 S. Meridian). growers bringing a true taste of Indiana from local produce and local ranchers. Stadium Village Farmers’ Market offers downtown employees and residents a new opportunity to purchase fresh and tasty local produce.

Indy Winter Farmers Market (IWFM)
Started in 2008, the Indy Winter Farmers’ Market was created to provide downtown residents with a direct source for local produce and produce during the winter months. Located at the Chatham Center, 901 N. East St., visitors will find items ranging from made-to-order crepes to fresh-frozen buffalo meat. Market hours are Saturdays from 9 am to 12:30 pm, from November to April. To further promote the market’s ideals of community and local commerce, the IWFM team organizes weekly post-market “trips” to local food and beverage establishments.

urban agriculture
Slow Food Indy Farming Locations
**NEW** – 6,000 square feet of green space in White River State Park is now dedicated to Growing Places Indy’s new urban vegetable farm, The Slow Food Garden. The project aims to sustain and improve the local food economy and community of Indianapolis. Co-founder Laura Henderson described the project as “education in training” for those involved: volunteers, interns and leaders. The five garden beds, which include potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, cabbage, onions, leeks, parsley and much more, will be maintained by Henderson, co-founder Matthew Jose, university interns and volunteers. Produce will be sold at the Indianapolis City Market Farmers Market, as available, and at local restaurants. Additional products will be donated.

Tasting Garden at R Bistro
R Bistro’s Tasting Garden located near the Mass Ave restaurant (888 Massachusetts Ave) is another Growing Places Indy project. The garden produces everything from radishes, lettuce and peas to basil, mustard greens and fennel. The garden supplies a small portion of the restaurant’s needs and arouses the interest of visitors. The garden includes compost from the restaurant and a rainwater system to reuse water.

big city farms
The dedicated work of Matthew Jose and Tyler Henderson of Big City Farms and some dedicated volunteers have converted eight vacant lots near the east side of downtown Indianapolis into gardens that produce vegetables and fruits. In addition to providing produce to its members, the garden offers heirloom and specialty vegetables and fruits to local restaurants, including City Café, Goose the Market, Meridian Restaurant & Bar and R Bistro. Big City Farms operates a CSA program from June through October and sells at the Indy Winter Farmers Market as long as produce is available on the farm.

Grocery store
Indy Food Co-Op/Pogue’s Run Grocer
**NEW** – This is a community-owned market located at 2828 E. 10th St., just east of downtown. Scheduled to open in late summer 2010, the supermarket strives to offer shoppers local, fresh, organic produce and produce at affordable prices. The founders believed that downtown Indianapolis needed a healthier yet affordable grocery option and set about the task in 2007. Pogue’s Run Grocer will offer everything from pet supplies and bulk items to seasonal items.

Restaurants
Don’t feel like cooking but still want fresh, local ingredients? Visit one of the following Downtown restaurants that prepare their meals with ingredients from local farmers.

120 West Market (Hilton), 317.972.0600
Earth House Cafe, 317.637.2716
Euphoria, 317.955.2389
Oceanaire Seafood Lounge, 317.955.2277
Patachou in the park, 317.202.0765
R Bistro, 317.423.0312
The Villa, 317.916.8500

Special events
DIG IN
**NEW** – August 2 On September 29, Indiana growers will head to White River State Park to showcase their high-quality, locally produced produce and remind Indiana people that there is more to Indiana than just corn . Dig-IN will feature educational panel discussions, cooking demonstrations, urban gardening exhibits, Q&A sessions from local chefs, wine tastings, beer and food pairing classes and more. Combining the freshness of farmers markets and our state’s best foodie minds, this event promises a feast for the senses. Learn from Indiana’s culinary and agricultural experts as they travel from field to table. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate all that Indiana’s sustainable agriculture has to offer.

go to the local week
Celebrate Indiana LOCAL WEEK 2010, September 5-11, by consciously choosing locally grown and produced foods. This special week reminds consumers to take advantage of the seasonality of Indiana food, protect the environment, and help support the local Indiana economy while consuming fresh, delicious produce. There is no central event for the celebration. Supporters of the event recommend celebrating locally and personally with activities like visiting a farm, a farmer’s market, or choosing restaurants that support local produce. The goal of the week is to raise awareness of the abundance of fresh, seasonal produce in Indiana.