Starting this week, consumers will have more ways to order from their favorite local farms and artisanal food vendors. Market Wagon LLC, an Indianapolis-based startup company, has opened a local food hub in Fort Wayne and is accepting home delivery orders immediately through https://fortwayne.marketwagon.com. The delivery area stretches from Noble County to Adams County.
This online farmers market allows customers to browse products on their computer or smartphone throughout the week and place an order from multiple local vendors with one single checkout. Orders are delivered each Thursday afternoon in insulated totes using ice packs as-needed to preserve freshness. Area residents can enjoy local shopping not only during harvest season but all winter long, after most physical farmers markets have closed for the season.
According to Market Wagon co-founder Dan Brunner, “Market Wagon’s mission is to enable food producers to thrive in their local and regional markets.” The company accomplishes that mission, Brunner says, by “providing exceptional choice and service to their nearby customers who will know exactly where their food comes from. We have attracted plenty of attention from northern Indiana shoppers and food producers eager for our launch. Our online store contains everything you’d expect to find at a physical farmers market – local farm-fresh eggs, dairy, meat, produce, baked goods, and more.”
“This business is all about giving consumers more ways and easier access to buy local – and giving farmers and food producers more ways to reach them,” said Nick Carter, co-founder and CEO of Market Wagon. According to a recent survey of Indiana consumers, over 44% of respondents have already tried ordering groceries online. “By bringing the same products you’d expect at a local farmers market into an online shop, we are increasing the market for local farms and artisans, and ultimately it’s those vendors that win.” Carter, born and raised on a small Indiana farm, is passionate about the company’s mission.
There are over 150 local products to choose from in the Fort Wayne market already, with more vendors loading new products every day. Shopping requires no upfront fees or long-term subscriptions. Interested food producers should contact market coordinator Josh Holzinger at josh.holzinger.
The first delivery for the region will be on Thursday February 8, 2018, with an order deadline of Tuesday, February 6th.
