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
Farmers/producers can learn more about community organizations and resources.
View ResourcesFood Safety
Food Safety
Consumer
Consumer
Learn more about organizations and resources to help consumers navigate our food systems.
View ResourcesFood Business and Entrepreneurship
Food Business and Entrepreneurship
Learn more about resources related to Food Business and Entrepreneurship
View ResourcesFeatured Stories
If you have a fireplace or wood stove that has helped your family stay warm this winter, what do you do with the leftover wood ashes? They can be spread in the garden, but a retired Purdue Extension expert wrote that you shouldn’t overdo it.
Keeping young children entertained, especially on cold or rainy days, can be challenging, but Wendy Collingwood, Purdue Extension childcare educator, has some tricks up her sleeve.
The Washington County Pork Producers are hosting their annual meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 6:30 pm in Salem, IN.
The Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program is sponsoring a shearing school, hosted by the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA), on Saturday, March 14, at Purdue University’s Sheep Unit.
Purdue Extension-Lake County hosts Be Heart Smart Programs to combat heart disease in Northwest Indiana.
Purdue Extension invites Indiana farmers and agricultural families to attend the virtual series “Farm Shield: Protecting Your Legacy from Life’s Uncertainties.” Farm Shield offers practical tools and expert insights for navigating the complex challenges of succession, estate planning and risk management.