November Notes: Gratitude, Growth, and the Power of Community

Written by Mandy Krickhahn, Collective Founder & CEO // November 2025

As the leaves fall and the season slows, I’ve been reflecting, not just on what we’ve built together, but on what it really means to take care of each other.

This fall marked the close of another incredible season for Farmed & Forged, and it’s one that’s left me both humbled and fired up. Two cities. Dozens of vendors. Hundreds of families. And more than $28,000 in local food purchased through our SNAP and Triple Match programs, with roughly 70% of that made possible through grants and community fundraising.

That’s thousands of meals on local tables, kids eating fresh produce who might not have otherwise, and small farms getting paid fairly for their work. It’s the ripple effect of what happens when local people come together to take care of one another.

But this season has also been a reminder of how fragile food access really is.

The truth about SNAP in Indiana

Did you know it’s incredibly hard to qualify for SNAP? In Indiana, a household of two can’t earn more than about $2,290 a month before taxes (around $1,760 after deductions) to receive benefits.

Now imagine trying to live on that. For a single mom with one child in La Porte County, the math doesn’t add up:

Expenses Per Month

• Rent (1–2 bedroom apartment) | $1,000

• Utilities | $250

• Car Payment + Gas | $300

• Groceries + Household Essentials | $300

Total = $1,850+

Even at the low end, with most families paying more, that’s already above the income limit, and that’s before medical bills, emergencies, childcare, and any other expenses. It’s not a lack of effort; it’s math that doesn’t leave room for life. Most people receiving SNAP are working. They’re not choosing to live off the system, they’re just not earning enough to keep up with rising costs.

And now, with the federal government halting emergency contingency funds, millions of families nationwide are facing benefit cuts or delays, including right here in Northwest Indiana. Local food pantries are already seeing a surge in demand, with some reporting they haven’t been this busy since COVID.

For families who rely on SNAP, that weekly trip to the market or grocery store isn’t a luxury, it’s where they stretch every dollar, pick up fresh produce, and connect with people who care. When that support is disrupted, it doesn’t just affect dinner, it affects dignity, stability, and the small farms and local businesses who depend on those purchases. Every $1 in SNAP spending generates about $1.60 in economic activity, much of which stays in the local economy.

Even though our market tents are packed away for the season, our work is far from done. We’re in communication with the NWI Food Council and other community partners in the food access space to determine what an emergency response could look like, depending on federal compliance and what action follows the recent court order to release funds.

With so much uncertainty, we’re preparing to move quickly if needed, because the goal remains the same: making sure families aren’t left without access to fresh food, and that local growers continue to be supported through whatever comes next.

Food insecurity isn’t an abstract policy issue, it’s personal. It’s your neighbor, your coworker, the parent at the school play, the person you pass at the market every weekend.

Federal policy decisions ripple all the way down to our kitchen tables. What happens in Washington might feel distant, but it determines whether families can afford groceries, farmers get paid, and small businesses in communities like ours can stay open. This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s a people issue. Food access, affordability, and fairness in our food systems affect everyone. Staying informed isn’t just about headlines, it’s about protecting our neighbors, our local economy, and the families who rely on these programs every day.

So as debates around SNAP and federal funding continue, I hope you’ll read, ask questions, and support the organizations doing the work on the ground. The more we understand how these policies touch real lives here at home, the stronger we become, together.

Building Connection Through The Current

We’re also launching The Current by The Collective this month, a new digital space where we share everything happening across our community. It’s our online home base for stories, updates, and collaboration.You’ll find features on local entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and change-makers, plus ways to get involved, support others, or share your own story.

And for the first time, we’re opening promotional features to the public, because amplifying local voices is how we strengthen the entire region. If you haven’t checked it out yet, now’s the perfect time to dive in.

Looking Ahead

As we move into winter, our focus shifts from open-air markets to open conversations about food access, equity, and what it really means to take care of each other.

Through The Collective Group, we’re channeling that same energy into helping local entrepreneurs grow, collaborate, and build businesses that make a difference. Because whether it’s a farmers market or a small business, it all comes back to the same goal: strengthening the communities we call home.

Our new website is live, and membership enrollment is open, giving local entrepreneurs even more tools, visibility, and support. We’re also rolling out new services through The Collective Group soon, from hiring and interviewing to event planning and tech support, all designed to help small businesses grow with purpose and community at the center.

This work has never been just about markets or memberships, it’s about the people. The ones who create, show up, give back, and believe in something bigger than themselves. As we head into a new season, we’ll keep doing what we do best: building community through connection, collaboration, and a whole lot of heart 🖤

MANDY KRICKHAHN

Founder & CEO // The Collective