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

Purdue Extension.
September Clover Chronicle

The 4-H programs has a few exciting things happening in September! See Clover Chronicle for details.

Read More
guyed tree
Should You Stake a Newly Planted Tree?

As we near Autumn, many homeowners will consider planting a new tree in their landscape. After all, spring and fall are both good times to plant landscape trees. A question some may be asking is whether you should stake or guy a newly planted tree.

Read More
Wheat
September-October Newsletter 2026

Purdue Extension Knox County 2026 Newsletter, featuring news in all of our program areas. Learn our latest updates from our extension educators.

Read More
From left to right: Micah Beckwith, Angie Abbott, Cory Larson, Don Lamb
Purdue Extension EDGE in Ag honors three Indiana agriculture leaders

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Extension’s EDGE in Ag program recognized three individuals for their leadership, service and contributions to Indiana’s agricultural industry during a ceremony at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 13.

Read More
Purdue Extension.
Purdue Extension in the Future

Purdue Extension in the Future, an article about Purdue Extension

Read More
early blight on tomato
Tomato Diseases

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the key tomato diseases and abiotic (non-living) factors that cause disease-like symptoms.

Read More