INDIANAPOLIS – During the first few days of the 2024 Indiana State Fair, 3,800 customers made purchases at the Indiana Grown Marketplace in the Mercantile building.

The Marketplace features more than 90 Indiana Grown members selling about 400 products representing 40 Hoosier counties, said Caroline Patrick, Indiana Grown director. Available items include sauces, cookies, fudge, popcorn, handcrafted soap, laundry detergents and lotions.

“So far, it’s been the year of the pickle,” Patrick told Farm World. “We have sold a lot of pickle-flavored popcorn and artisan pickles. We also have sold quite a few different flavored milks.”

Indiana Grown will pay vendors for the products and any revenue generated is used to fund initiatives within the program, she said. Last year, the program gave out $30,000 in grants to members.

“The state fair is a huge opportunity to highlight agriculture to an urban and suburban crowd of over 700,000,” Patrick explained. “The Indiana Grown Marketplace features only Indiana made, processed or produced items, where shoppers can ensure their dollars go back to our Hoosier communities. This is also a unique opportunity to educate fair guests about agriculture and why supporting and shopping local is crucial.

“Each product is labeled with (the name of the member) and their hometown so it’s exciting to see fair guests look for products from their local communities.”

The Marketplace is open daily during the fair, which ends Aug. 18. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, product samples will be available beginning at 11 a.m.

“The state fair always brings the best Hoosiers have to the table (and) the same can be said for the Indiana Grown Marketplace given that all products were cultivated with Hoosier care,” Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, said in a statement. “I hope you can join us at the Indiana Grown Marketplace to experience the excellence of Indiana Grown producers for yourself.”

Indiana Grown was established in 2015 with the goal of promoting state-produced agricultural products. Members receive Indiana Grown logos to display on their products. The free program has 1,500 members.

The Marketplace began at the state fair in 2016, Patrick said.

“Getting a taste of Indiana has never been easier,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said in a statement. “If you are looking for quality products created by people who care about their craft, look no further than the Indiana Grown Marketplace.”

Crouch serves as Indiana’s secretary of agriculture and rural development.

The Mercantile building – formerly the Agriculture/Horticulture building – is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The building is near the Midway on the west side of the fairgrounds. For more about Indiana Grown, visit www.indianagrown.org.