Writer / Jessica Pflumm
Photographer / Various

Full of farms and long-standing traditions, Indiana offers a variety of local food options and sustainable, long-term providers. Eating local is better for you and gives back to the local economy, provides you with seasonal, fresh foods that will allow you to explore a greater variety of foods and overall provides a greater sense of community. In Southern Indianapolis, four long-term local providers that stand out are the Greenwood Farmer’s Market, Walker Hatchery, Archer Meats and Vogel’s Organic Dairy Farm.

Greenwood Farmer’s Market
362 S Madison Avenue
Greenwood, IN
Facebook: Greenwood Farmer’s Market

Located in the heart of Greenwood, the Greenwood Farmer’s Market hosts a wide variety of local farmers’ produce, baked goods, flowers, meats and other specialty items. Open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon (late April – mid-October) and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 5 p.m. (June – mid-October), famers and customers alike are providing local sustainable produce, gifts and baked goods for customers of all ages.

Greenwood’s Farmer’s Market aims to please all of its customers. Their Facebook page (with 4,000 likes!) has surveys asking customers what they want to see at the market, keeps customers up to date on hours, situational weather, and creates a great sense of belonging for the community.

A great outing on Saturday or Wednesday afternoons, make sure to check out this local shopping experience before mid-October. Stock up on freezable produce and take advantage of the variety these local farmers have to offer!

Walker Hatchery
1275 Main Street
Greenwood, IN
317-881-4754

In 1948, local farmer Forest Walker started an egg hatchery. His son Dale took over years later, and Walker Hatchery continues its operation today. Located in a no-frills gray building off Main Street in Greenwood, Walker’s offers eight sizes/varieties of farm-fresh eggs (Super/Jumbo, XL, Large, Medium, Brown, Cage Free, Amish and Hard “Cooked”/Boiled). Walker’s leases the West side of their building to “A Piece of Cake,” a bakery selling cupcakes, cakes and other special order desserts. Walker’s Hatchery partners with A Piece of Cake on all pie sales, which you can purchase on either side of the building.

Walker’s provides eggs to many local restaurants in Greenwood. Eggs are purchased three times per week from local farms that Walker’s has collaborated with for years; however, their sales are not limited to eggs. They also carry Hunter’s Honey from Martinsville, Ind.; Jellies and Jams from Gilman Farms in Bloomington, Ind.; homemade noodles from Oden, Ind., and a few other local-to-Indiana delicacies.

“We keep our prices down to stay competitive,” says Dale Walker, owner. With more than 50 years of business in Greenwood, this sales strategy has proven to be a winner.

Archer Meats
259 South Meridian Street
Greenwood, IN
317-881-9300
cateringbyarchers.com
Facebook: Archers Meats and Catering (highlights their Fishers location)

Established in 1966 by Ron Archer, Archer Meats is a long-standing custom butcher shop that provides Greenwood and surrounding communities with an amazing variety of premium meats. Remaining a family business was important to Ron and is reflected in his staff: Chris, Bobbi, Shaun and Kenny Archer all work there – all related to Ron. Business has increased over the past few years and all by the old-fashioned way of advertising: word of mouth.

Archer Meats provides both meats for sale as well as processing for all meats and exclusively processing for deer. All of their meats are State of Indiana inspected and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point compliant. All meats come from local Indiana farmers – so buying provides income back into the Indiana community. All meats provided at Archer are steroid and antibiotic free. When you walk into their shop, there is no showcase for their meat, you tell them what you want, they go to the back (the “slaughterhouse”) to cut it and bring it directly to you.

Archer’s sells in-store only and will special cut your selection of meats just the way you like them.

“If your husband wants a steak an inch thick and you want yours a half an inch thick, we will cut them that way,” Chris Archer said. They also provide catering, which is about 30 percent of their overall business.

Customers like to know where their meat comes from.

“Customer relationships remain our favorite part of the business,” Chris stated, adding, “We have had grandfathers, dads and sons all bringing us cattle over the years.”

The business has had continued growth over the years and they feel the art of buying local has definitely made a comeback – something that both Archer’s Meats and the Greenwood community are grateful for.

Vogel’s Organic Dairy Farm
1170 West State Road 44
Franklin, IN
317-695-7862

Tucked away in a beautiful Franklin, Ind. landscape, Vogel’s Organic Dairy Farm is a hidden gem right outside of Greenwood. Certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this farm offers organic dairy, meat, eggs, lard and other organic specialty items. All of its products and animals are grass or organically fed, raised humanely, and are free of antibiotics, synthetic hormones or pesticides.

Selling at the farm store only, which is on the property, the family and Amish-run business has been in operation for six years. The farm was purchased in 2000 and the Vogel’s spent years preparing the land and making plans for their growing business. A recent change in hours (now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) provides customers with plenty of opportunities to shop.

This beautiful farm, owned and operated by Patti and Larry Vogel, is unique in its offerings and products. Without any advertising, this farm also relies on word of mouth for its growing customer base. A perfect family outing for a Saturday that all of Greenwood can then share with their own friends and family!

Home
Article 1: Fresh Food is Nothing New
Article 2: Changing Grocery Stores
Article 3: Following the Trend
Article 4: Cookin’ Up Farm Fresh Flavors
Article 5: Cars & the Cafe

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