Meet Our Members

Kelli McCrary, Community Impact Director

kelli.mccrary@heart.org    317-732-4718

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• Community Gardens
• Health Equity
• Clinic-based initiatives for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
• Hands Only CPR
• Workplace Health

Additional Information:

Excited to partner with organizations to have a greater impact than we would alone.

Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director

info@feedingindianashungry.org    317-396-9365

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• State and federal legislation pertaining to all anti-hunger programs, working with in-state advocacy partners; we work with Feeding America, Food Research and Action Council (FRAC), Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), and MAZON on federal issues.
• Provide SNAP outreach materials and technical assistance to 8 member food banks not currently included in the state SNAP outreach plan, also made available publicly through the organization website.
• Lead Indiana Hunger Coalition with Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute to regularly update and inform stakeholders and communicate with state agency program staff.

Additional Information:

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is the Partner State Association of the Feeding America Affiliate food banks serving Indiana. They serve 11 member food banks covering all 92 counties.

Hannah Kelley RD, LD; President 2021-2022

kelley@winnersdrinkmilk.com    317-842-7133

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• Support the mission to optimize Indiana residents’ health through food and nutrition,
• Focus on individual well-being, healthy communities, and visionary solutions through RDN expertise
• Focus on public policy, diversity, equity & inclusion, and consumer-focused nutrition information

Additional Information:

In my volunteer work for the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics I support our mission which is to optimize Indiana residents’ health through food and nutrition, with focus on:  Individual well-being – healthy communities – visionary solutions through RDN expertise. We are a statewide association and have worked with groups like: Hoosier Health and Wellness Alliance, Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Stroke Coalition of Indiana, Indiana School Nutrition Association, as well as several Universities across the state. We have focus areas that include Public Policy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and consumer focused nutrition information.

Fern Bachner, Child & Adult Care Food Program Nutrition Specialist

fbachner@doe.in.gov    317-234-0867

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• Improving the health and well being of Indiana’s citizens, especially children
• Close work with food service professionals in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, day care organizations, and other nonprofit organizations that serve nutritious meals to eligible recipients
• The Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in after school care programs, children residing in emergency shelters

Joyce Fillenwarth, Indiana State Office Rural Health Manager

jfillenwarth@health.in.gov    317-233-7734

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

My Small Hospital Improvement Grant for hospitals with 49 beds or less. Within this educational grant, we have had hospitals express interest with assistance in providing nutritious food options/education through their local pantries, etc.

Naima Gardner, MPH; SNAP-Ed and Nutrition Programs Director

NGardner1@health.in.gov    317-234-3498

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

Indiana Grown for Schools – leading farm to school efforts for IDOH. We recently created a Buyer’s Guide for school food service directors to connect them with local producers and hopefully increase the amount of Indiana grown food in school cafeterias throughout the state. We also lead the Indiana Grown for Schools Network and recently launched a farm to school website (Ingrown4schools.com). 

Community Compass – involved in the development of an app that will connect limited-resource individuals and families to emergency food assistance resources. Working closely with the City of Indianapolis, Indy Hunger Network, Level Up, and Connect2Help. 

SNAP-Ed – supervise our SNAP-Ed team here at IDOH. I act as the main point of contact between IDOH and Purdue Extension. 

Cooking Matters – oversee mini grants throughout the state for organizations who we fund to teach Cooking Matters courses in their communities. 

Food Access and healthy equity efforts – involved in our internal health equity council here at IDOH; and very passionate about food access and food justice throughout the state of Indiana. 

Trauma-informed nutrition education – coordinating a training for Purdue’s Nutrition Education Program staff facilitated by Leah’s Pantry.

Additional Information:

We have a lot of contacts throughout the state and have access to many resources that could be helpful to folks doing nutrition work. Please reach out to us as a starting point if you’re looking for partnership or assistance!

Jenna Sperry, MPH; Childhood Obesity Prevention Coordinator

jsperry@health.in.gov   317-2317-233-7580

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

Healthy Schools Toolkit (3rd Edition) – The Healthy Schools Toolkit is a comprehensive and Indiana-specific resource that provides guidance for school corporations to improve school wellness policies, environments, and healthy practices. The major components of the toolkit include guidance for school staff and relevant stakeholders on school wellness councils, physical activity, nutrition, family and community engagement, evaluation, and equity.

Indiana Healthy Schools Grant – The Healthy Schools Grant provides up to $10,000 per year for 3 years to a few Indiana schools or school corporations to take actions that improve their health environment in ways that promote nutrition and physical activity. The current grantees are on their 3rd year of funding.

School Wellness Policy Evaluation – School districts are required by law to have an established school wellness policy that covers nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school activities that impact overall student wellness. The WellSAT 3.0 can be used score both the content of a wellness policy as well as the strength of the policy’s wording. The WellSAT results can then be used to create a set of policy recommendations for school board members to strengthen their wellness policies.

Lindsey Bouza, MPH, PAPHS; Director, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA)

lbouza@health.in.gov 317-234-3580

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• Currently part of a USDA Farm to School Grant in which we have created a Buyer’s Guide and website to easily link food services directors with local farmers who want to sell their products to schools
• DNPA oversees the SNAP-Ed funding in Indiana, granting most to Purdue Extension, the implementing agency. We keep track of classes taught by Nutrition Education Program Assistants and also policy, system, and environmental changes related to nutrition and physical activity (examples being community gardens, work with food pantries, Farm to School, etc.)
• Partner with organizations to create healthy meeting guidelines for employee wellness and/or improve food service guidelines in workplaces.

Additional Information:

The DNPA focuses on a variety of nutrition topics, including Farm to School, nutrition in ECEs, worksites, schools, etc. One of our two main goals is to increase access to and consumption of healthy foods and beverages.

Ivy Egbo, RN, MPH; Cardiovascular Program Coordinator

iegbo@health.in.gov 317-234-1918

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

We work with state-funded Community Health Centers (CHC) on a CDC grant focused on the prevention and management of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Also included in this grant are patient referrals to evidence-based programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). In addition to these programs, we are working on connecting our partnered Health Systems with other resources and nutrition-based educational programs.

Legita Wilson, WIC Commodities Program Manager

lwilson2@health.in.gov 317-233-2191

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• Provision of nutrition education to Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) clients statewide through a grant agreement with Marion County Public Health Department, Nutrition Services
• FoodLink – A product of Purdue Agricultural Extension, which provides information on how to select, store, and prepare produce as well as nutritional value associated with each item

Additional information:

Indiana WIC serves the entire state of Indiana. Commodities Programs collaborate with food banks, WIC clinics, Area Agencies on Aging, USDA Food and Nutrition Services regional representatives, Midwest regional state agencies, Indiana state agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Division of Family and Social Services Administration, and a variety of nonprofit entities to supply food and education to those most in need.

Nancy Ward, RN; Chief Nurse Consultant (retiring 9/22/23)/ Lacey Rivers

nancy.ward@fssa.in.gov ; lacey.rivers@fssa.in.gov 317-503-6519

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• I review the Nutrition/Food Service applications that licensed child care centers must submit to show they understand the regulations and responsibilities of feeding children
• Collaborate with other state and private agencies as nutrition and physical activity relates to children, especially early care and education
• Click HERE to learn more!

Additional Information:

The Chief Nurse Consultant acts as subject matter expert in health promotion for early care and education providers and OECOSL licensing consultants in a number of areas including nutrition.  Collaboration occurs with IDOE via CACFP and with IDOH via Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Lisa Nye, Executive Director

nancy.ward@fssa.in.gov    317-219-5272

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

The Parks and Recreation Association serves as a link to state-wide
physical activity opportunities for SNAC

Additional Information:

The Indiana Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) is a professional association representing over 1,600 park and recreation professionals throughout the state. Members include agency superintendents, directors, and other professional staff; corporate vendors that supply recreation equipment and professional services; elected officials; students; and citizen advocates.

Tarrah Westercamp, School Program Manager

twestercamp@strength.org    765-265-3401

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

• School Meals: Ensure all students have access to nutritious breakfasts and lunches at school.
• Out of School Time Meals: Ensure that all students have access to healthy meals when school is out, including after school and during summer and winter breaks.
• Meal Quality: Support efforts to ensure high quality meals for students by increasing knowledge of (1) healthy foods, (2) food systems and (3) school nutrition program efficacy.
• Emergency Food Systems: Strengthen connections between schools and community partners to support Hoosier families when crisis hits.

Additional Information:

The Indiana Partnership for Hunger-Free Students strives to eliminate hunger by engaging and educating key stakeholders, maximizing and sharing community resources, and advocating for systems change at the local, state, and federal levels.

The coalition coordinates statewide efforts to ensure that no child goes hungry in the state of Indiana. It is a dedicated group of stakeholders including school nutrition professionals, parents, students, educators, administrators, community advocates, health systems, and University partners.

Regional Task Forces are composed of on the ground partners and champions who work collaboratively to support schools interested in ensuring all kids start the day with the fuel they need to learn and grow through:

• Identifying and sharing resources, including funding
• Peer to peer learning
• Collaborative planning

Follow No Kid Hungry Indiana on Facebook!

Angie Abbott, EdD, RDN, CD; Assistant Dean College of Health and Human Sciences, Associate Director Purdue Extension

abbottar@purdue.edu   765-494-8252

Blake Connolly, MPH; Assistant Director, Nutrition Education Program

baconnol@purdue.edu   765-496-0483

Krystal Lynch, PhD, MPH; Research and Evaluation Specialist

lynch68@purdue.edu 317-233-1965

Marcia Sweet, Marketing and Communications Specialist

sweet10@purdue.edu    219-670-1301

Stephanie Faroh, MA, RDN, LD; Training Specialist

faroh@purdue.edu 812-345-3526

Steven O’Brien, MPH, MS, PHR; Research & Evaluation Specialist

obrie227@purdue.edu

Wanda Stevens, Assistant Director, Nutrition Education Program

wstevens@purdue.edu   765-494-1387

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that the leadership currently works on:

• We are currently partnering with RightFit in Marion County, whose mission includes enhancing a healthier community through a robust after-school program that encourages physical activity and healthy eating. The long-term goal is to make this program widely available to schools in communities with limited resources across Indiana. It would take great collaboration and funds from partners across the state to make this happen. The SNAC team may be a great resource in this important endeavor to make a healthy impact in the lives of Hoosier children!
• Many counties are working on improving nutrition and food access in the Schools. Examples include: working on food rescue in the cafeteria, healthy snack option policies, school gardens, healthy food options at lunch and breakfast. We have made a great partnership with No Kid Hungry to combat food access in schools.
• Many Community Wellness Coordinators (CWCs) are working on improving access to nutritious foods through healthy food donations at pantries, choice food pantries, farmer’s markets accepting SNAP/ WIC vouchers/Senior vouchers, double up buck programs and food hubs.
• Other CWC initiative types include: food prescription programs, community gardens, worksite wellness, healthy community designations, bike share
• Our Nutrition Education Program Assistants (NEPAs) are offering nutrition education classes/cooking demos for SNAP-Ed eligible clients in a variety of community settings: schools, public housing, WIC, libraries, food pantries, community centers, senior centers, health clinics, recovery centers, YMCAs. Our Regional Supervisors are each serving on their respective region’s Indiana Regional School Breakfast Task Force
• We are partnering with projects in Grant and Vermillion counties through the Cardiovascular and Diabetes Coalition of Indiana, Connections IN Health

Additional Information:

The Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) works to improve the nutrition and health of audiences with limited resources in Indiana. We offer two major initiatives statewide to communities free of charge: nutrition education to youth and adults, and
community wellness initiatives collaborating with partners on policy, system and environmental changes. NEP is the SNAP-Ed and EFNEP implementing agency for the state of Indiana. We partner with IDOH as the SNAP-Ed state agency. Each year, we partner with hundreds of agencies and organizations to make a positive impact on public health to reach our limited-resource clientele. Reach out to schedule a class or connect!

Hanna Kelley, RD, LD; Director of Health and Wellness

kelley@winnersdrinkmilk.com   317-842-7133

Nutrition-related initiatives/committees that you currently work on:

In my work with the American Dairy Association Indiana, we work closely
with health and wellness providers, K-12 schools, hunger relief agencies,
government agencies and other statewide nutrition, education and
agriculture groups. We provide educational pieces, grant funding, and
convene thought leaders to share dairy nutrition and farming information
and to support mutual community goals. We have partnered with IDOE,
IDOH, IDOA, Purdue Extension, YMCA of Central Indiana, Feeding Indiana’s
Hungry, Gleaners Food Bank, Indianapolis Urban League, etc.

Learn more HERE