BLUFFTON, Ind. (WOWO): The first phase of a study on Northeast Indiana’s food industry is complete, and now officials are combing through the details.

The Northeast Indiana Regional Food Network would establish a connection between farmers, food processors, regional food hubs, restaurants, and others in the area. The network seeks to keep food and money local and would encourage grocers and shoppers to buy Indiana-grown food, according to the Journal-Gazette.

On average, Indiana consumers spend $16 billion on food a year, but only about 10 percent of that food is grown in Indiana.

A $43,000 USDA grant helped pay for the study, which was contracted to Manheim Solutions last year.

The study could have an impact on the $5.5 million Bluffton Food Innovation Center. The future of the facility depends on whether this study verifies a need for it.