What is local?

Local produce is by definition seasonal. In spring in California, that means artichokes; summer in Michigan means blueberries and autumn in Washington means apples. We value this natural diversity, and each of our 11 regions has its own firm guidelines for using the term "local" in our stores. While only products that have traveled less than a day (7 or fewer hours by car or truck) can even be considered for "local" designation, most stores have established even shorter maximum distances.

The local definition for the Midwest region is:

LOCAL = products grown, raised, or processed and packaged within the home state or a 250 mile radius of your local store. For our two Indiana stores this means any products coming from Indiana, and cities within a 250 mile radius which include: Chicago, Cincinnati and Louisville
 
MIDWEST = products grown, raised, or processed and packaged within any of our regional states (which for Indiana include Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska & Wisconsin)

The Benefits

There are as many reasons for supporting "locally grown" as there are farmers, but here are the most important ones:

A Friendly and Fresh Connection

Supporting local farm production puts a "face" behind the foods we consume and keeps us connected to the seasons, as well as the unique flavor and diversity of local crops.

Local Means Green

Buying produce from local growers reduces the environmental impact and costs of transporting product.

Preserving Character

Small local farms are a valuable component of a community's character, helping maintain agricultural heritage, preserve land use diversity, and moderate development.

Crop Diversity and Quality

Many farmers producing for a local market choose to diversify, growing a variety of crops instead of just one. This is a boon for biodiversity and your palate, since local crops are harvested at their peak of freshness and flavor.

Local Means Green — Again

Minimizing handling and transportation costs gives farmers maximum return on their investment. And most of the money spent on local production stays in the community, "greening up" the local economy.

Enjoy Local Products Year Round

At our Whole Foods Market Indiana stores, we carry a handful of produce products year round such as Eden Farms Basil, Doud's Apple Cider and Sweg's Salsa. To learn more about our local producers, please visit our Local Vendor page.

SustainIndy also has a great resource page for eating locally. Many of the books listed are also available for purchase at Whole Foods Market Indiana stores, including Home Grown Indiana, by Scott Hutcheson (The Hungry Hoosier) and Christine Barbour!

Featured Local Vendors

Capriole Farmstead Goat Cheeses

Greenville, IN
Farmstead means we make our fresh, ripened, and aged chevres by hand, right here, using only the milk of our own herd. In 1976 we moved with our 3 young children from the suburbs to this hill farm in southern Indiana. We wanted a sustainable life style, a milk cow, and lots of gardens. Over the years, the suburbs have followed us and we are now the last working dairy in our county. Ours is a traditional dairy, one centered on herd health, longevity, and productivity where animals are born, live, and die on the same farm. We do this because it works; the same reason we raise much of our own hay, browse our animals in rotating woodland paddocks, and carefully observe what the goat tells us they need. We make our cheese in much the same way, through observation and, always through the vehicle of taste, for without taste, the rest becomes trivial.

Chicago SoyDairy

Chicago, IL
Two devoted vegans and entrepreneurs, Ryan Howard and Dan Ziegler, pooled their passion for animal welfare rights and environmental responsibility to create the first soymilk "dairy" in the Midwest. Enjoy many Chicago SoyDairy products at our two Indiana stores including Temptation Ice Cream, Teese Cheese and Dandies Marshmallows. All products are made by dedicated vegans on vegan equipment, and are made in a dairy-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free and egg-free facility. More than 90% of their products are gluten-free as well. Chicago Soydairy is proud that 100% of their operating energy is offset with Green Solar and Wind Energy Credits, as certified through Green-E.org. Enjoy taste testing Temptation Ice Creams each year at Whole Foods Market's Annual Ice Cream Social.

Doud Orchard

Denver, IN
Doud Orchard grows over 100 heirloom varieties of apples, including The Sweet Emma, a new apple variety that was developed at Doud Orchard. We offer
the freshest, most delicious local apples, peaches and apple cider available.

Easley Winery

Indianapolis, IN
Easley Winery is the oldest family-owned winery in the state of Indiana, and we offer approximately 25 different varieties including Indiana Champagne, Mead and three fruit wines.

Eden Farms

Lebanon, IN
At Eden Farms, we produce the highest quality Genovese Basil available to the market and utilize hydroponic growing techniques that allow us to produce fresh, clean and consistent basil year round.

Eisele’s Honey & Pollination

Westfield, IN
Eisele’s Honey & Pollination maintains between 1200 and 1400 hives and specializes in the movement of bees to pollinate crops such as apple, blueberry, cantaloupe and pumpkin in Indiana. We are proud to serve our local community year-round!

Endangered Species Chocolate

Indianapolis, IN
Chocolate is the ultimate treat and Endangered Species Chocolate is not just pleasure for your tongue, it's also good for the planet. Sourcing cacao from small family-owned properties around the world, this Indianapolis, IN company produces all-natural and organic gourmet chocolate made from naturally shade grown, ethically traded beans sourced from family-owned properties. More than just a pretty picture: our colorful wrappers serve not only to increase awareness of species currently listed as threatened or endangered on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered Species List, but to inspire proactive conservation for animals confronting universal struggles such as habitat encroachment, poaching, and pollution. In addition 10% of net profits are donated to help support species, habitat and humanity.

Pine Manor Miller Poultry

Goshen, IN
Miller Poultry is a small, family-owned company. Our chickens are hatched, grown and processed in Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan area. Our chicks are hatched at our own hatchery and placed primarily on Amish family farms.  The birds are raised inside naturally ventilated, curtain sided, houses and are free to roam on open floors. They are fed an all-vegetable (corn and soy-based) diet with no antibiotics, no artificial ingredients or coloring and no hormones, which is produced at our own feed mill in New Paris, Indiana. Our farms are in a smaller regional area, located within miles of our processing plant, so our carbon footprint is minimized. What we process today is often at your store tomorrow.  Our goal is to provide the freshest and healthiest chicken available to you. We work hard to produce the best possible poultry in the market today and hope you, your family and friends will enjoy it often. Enjoy Miller Poultry products in our Meat and Prepared Foods Departments. All of the Rotisserie Chickens served hot in our Prepared Foods Department are from Miller Poultry and many of the chicken-based salads also use this local chicken.

Oaken Barrel Brewing Co.

Greenwood, IN
At Oaken Barrel Brewing Company, we’ve built our reputation on our award-winning beers. Our commitment to quality and variety is what has made us an Indiana favorite for the last decade!

Oliver Winery

Bloomington, IN
Oliver Winery started in the 1960s as a hobby in William Oliver’s basement
in Bloomington, Indiana. Today, four decades later, we grow our grapes on an ideal vineyard site overlooking the Beanblossom Valley.

Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse

Bloomington, IN
Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse began its operations in 1995, modeled after traditional European artisan bakeries. We are proud to supply our customers with wholesome, healthy, all-natural breads, free from artificial ingredients and preservatives.

Stranger’s Hill Organic Farm

Bloomington, IN
Stranger’s Hill Organic Farm offers fresh produce including local and organic bedding plants, mixed vegetables, herbs and small fruits. Named after our dog, Stranger, who used to stand watch on the hill overlooking the farm, we are committed to offering the finest quality organic produce–from our farm to your table!

Three Floyds Brewing Co.

Munster, IN
Three Floyds Brewing Company opened its doors in 1996 as a very small brewery. As acceptance of and demand for our beers grew, we moved to Munster, Indiana, where we began receiving awards and compliments for our wide variety of beers.

Traders Point Farm Organics

Zionsville, IN
Traders Point Farm Organics was founded in 2003 and offers certified USDA organic grass-fed non-homogenized dairy products including milk, yogurt and cream cheese. We strongly believe in nourishing the land that nourishes us all by preserving the family farm and continuing our grandparents’ legacy of sensible, sustainable agriculture.