What We Do

“Food Systems are complex networks that include all the inputs and outputs associated with agricultural and food production and consumption.  Food systems can vary substantially from place to place and over time, depending on location specific conditions.”

-United States Department of Agriculture

 

The Food Systems Coordinator supports small, diverse farms and value-added food businesses in Indiana. We are also involved in local food in terms of food safety, economics, and education. The Purdue Food Systems program uses an interdisciplinary approach to collaboratively create educational materials and workshops, while engaging community members to build local economies.

Contact Us

Sarah Hanson

Food Systems Coordinator
sspeedy@purdue.edu

615 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-8483

Producer

Producer

Image of a man harvesting carrots.
Producer

Farmers/producers can learn more about community organizations and resources.

View Resources

Food Safety

Food Safety

Yegerlehener's On Farm Cheese Production
Food Safety

Learn more about resources related to food safety.

View Resources

Consumer

Consumer

Image of a man standing next to a stand of produce.
Consumer

Learn more about organizations and resources to help consumers navigate our food systems.

View Resources

Food Business and Entrepreneurship

Food Business and Entrepreneurship

Image of a bottle being filled with Maple Syrup
Food Business and Entrepreneurship

Learn more about resources related to Food Business and Entrepreneurship

View Resources

Featured Stories

pollinator week
Pollinators are Nature’s Workforce

Small wings, big impact. Pollinators are nature’s workforce, and it’s important we keep that workforce “employed,” because it’s estimated that one in every three bites of food we eat is due to cross-pollination by pollinators.

Read More
Angie Abbott
Purdue Extension announces Regional Operations Leaders

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Angie Abbott, associate dean and director of Purdue Extension, has announced the 23 Extension staff who began their roles as Regional Operations Leaders, effective June 1. These individuals will play a key role as Extension transforms to a statewide organizational structure with 12 regions and a county-based 4-H program.

Read More
A sheep pokes his head out of above a metal rail with other sheep in the background
New sheep workshop series focuses on flock health

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Agriculture’s Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program and the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) are jointly sponsoring a new program called the Indiana Flock Exchange, which will take place in three regions of the state starting in July.

Read More
bagworm and regular Douglas fir cone
Bagworms Play Hide-and-Seek

A common landscape pest plays half of this game, just hiding from us on our evergreens.

Read More
A group of three people talk in a field in front of a large plant
Weed Science Field Day offers research tour, info sessions, networking

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Department of Botany and Plant Pathology will host Weed Science Field Day on June 25 at the Throckmorton Purdue Agricultural Center (TPAC).

Read More
clovers in field
2026 Wells County Fair Program

2026 Wells County Fair Program

Read More