The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network has hired Karen Petersen to serve as the nonprofit’s first Executive Director.
Northeast Indiana Local Food Network news release:
Northeast Indiana Local Food Network hires first Executive Director
Fort Wayne, Indiana (January 21, 2025) – The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network has hired Karen Petersen to serve as the nonprofit’s first Executive Director, as part of the organization’s three-year Capacity-Building Initiative.
Karen Petersen has 20 years of experience in leadership roles in human resources and business/financial operations as well as a BS in Business Administration from Long Island University. Karen moved to Fort Wayne in 2018 and purchased 20 acres just outside the city limits. Together with her husband Dustin, they started Pequash Farms, a market garden farm that values sustainability, environmental stewardship, and responsibility.
Karen has a passion for helping others and a strong community service mindset. She has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the last 9 years, where she looks out for the best interests of children who have been victims of child abuse and/or neglect in our community. Karen also serves as the Eel River Township Trustee in northwest Allen County, where she administers Township Assistance and other important programs.
Karen joined the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network board in early 2024, taking on roles within the strategic planning and finance committees. Karen is currently participating in the Indiana Regional Food Systems Learning Collaborative as well as the Farm to School Fellowship initiative, sponsored by the USDA and Indiana Department of Health. In collaboration with St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, Karen will manage the Double Up Indiana program in Allen County. These opportunities will further inform and guide her when advancing and supporting nutrition incentive programs and expanding local food access to our community.
“As the new Executive Director, I am thrilled to collaborate with our dedicated founder and board, valued partners, engaged community members, and steadfast supporters to cultivate a thriving and resilient local food system in Northeast Indiana”, Karen Petersen shares. “By working together, we can strengthen our local food economy, expand access to nutritious food, and create a healthier, more equitable future for everyone in our community.”
Karen is excited to work with the Board of Directors and Founding Director, Janet Katz, to develop and implement the nonprofit’s new strategic plan. This plan will be based on the recently completed Northeast Indiana Local Food Needs Assessment conducted by Kristi Sturtz of Sturtz Public Management Group.
“We are very grateful for the very generous grant award from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation to support our Capacity-Building Initiative and Karen’s leadership of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network at this pivotal time.” Founding Director, Janet Katz, explains. “This grant partially supported our needs assessment of the local food system with a focus on vulnerable families and individuals. and will support the development of our strategic plan to address the needs of this population, and operational support to implement the strategic plan.”
Learn more about Karen Petersen, the first Executive Director of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network.
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