(photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Agriculture)

The Indiana Department of Agriculture is kicking off Going Local Week beginning Sunday, Sept 2nd.

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Spokesperson Jeannette Keating says it's been estimated that if consumers spent an additional $4.50 a week on locally grown products, the move would add $1.5 billion a year to the local farm economy. Keating says the locally grown food movement helps farmers as well as families with childen who get to learn about the origin of their food.

Some argue the movement also decreases the environmental impact of moving food across state or national borders. Keating says the interest in local food is growing in all 92 Indiana counties and includes local wines and meat. Indiana farmers will take part in a Statehouse Farmers market on Thursday, September 6th. The market will also include some of Indy's popular food trucks. Other statewide events are also planned. Going Local Week runs from September 2 through September 8th.