Statewide organization offers tips on how to support local businesses and give a great gift this season.
Story by Cathy Shouse
If the Indiana Foodways Alliance played a character in the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life, it would be Clarence the angel. That’s because the nonprofit organization lifts up the food industry in the state by promoting restaurants and other food businesses, which have navigated some choppy waters recently.
IFA is inviting Hoosiers to join its own “wonderful,” positive philosophy. One way to do that is through buying gift cards from their members’ businesses this holiday season. IFA is also shining a spotlight on the state’s products that can make the perfect gifts for friends, family, and others such as teachers, neighbors, and service providers. People who do this will have the dual satisfaction of giving a gift and also supporting a local food business.
“Our members have been checked out and go through an assessment process to verify they meet our standards,” said Lindsey Skeen, marketing and media director for IFA. “We went a step further and made food trails. By going to www. indianafoodways.com, you’ll find twenty-one food trails, including The Hoosier Pie Trail TM, the Tenderloin Lovers Trail, and the Wine, Wine, Anytime Trail.”
IFA member Joe Phillips owns Pints and Union in New Albany, an old- world style pub offering European and American classics. He’s meeting the ongoing challenges partly by a focus on service, changing the pub’s air circulation system, and looking for silver linings.
“We owe each other a sense of strong realism,” Phillips said. “Although it has had sad moments, ultimately, we are going to move forward together. The times are creating a sense of unity. We took that for granted before.”
He’s passionate about people coming in for the full experience and the popular fish and chips and Chicken Tikka Masala. Yet the dad of two young sons, with his wife working as a 911 dispatcher, understands limits. Sometimes giving a gift card or arranging for some take-out beers are the
perfect choice. It’s why he’s made curbside pick-up a permanent option.
The Bluebird Restaurant in Morristown gets personal with homemade sugar cream pies for a yummy gift. Or try hand-dipped almonds from Lowery’s Homemade Candies in Muncie, wine from Cedar Creek Winery, Brewery and Distillery near Martinsville, and gift cards for fish dinners, chicken dinners, pizzas, and more.
Supporting local businesses is a great way to give back to the community,
and gifts or gift cards can be used for hostess gifts and other occasions. At Elwood’s Tin Plate restaurant, which is located not far from the Red Gold company, owner and IFA board member Patrick Rice has listed his business on the Tenderloin Lovers Trail.
“Our roast beef Manhattan’s really unique and different. The red gravy has tomato sauce in it from Red Gold,” Rice said. “You would not believe the number of people that come through my doors because of what the Alliance is doing for us. Earlier this year, people buying gift cards, along with community support, is what sustained us. All of the different local businesses, we all kind of banded together and gave each other tips to make it through.”
It’s that shared connection that is behind everything IFA does.
“The best part of my job is connecting with the restaurant owners,” Skeen
said. “They’ve all got a story and we’re inviting fellow Hoosiers to contribute to one of their chapters. A gift card, maybe with a note naming a specialty food or drink your family has enjoyed, can add that personal touch. Whether in big or small amounts, everything helps. We’re hoping to expand on ‘buy local,’ take it to a whole new level.”
Who knows? Maybe there is a part of Clarence the angel inside of us all.
Read the Indiana Culinary Trails Guide here: https://travelindiana.com/indiana-culinary-trails/
